Indian-origin wrestler in Australian Olympic squad
An Indian origin wrestler, who failed to make it to the national squad, is all set to don the Australian colour in the Beijing Olympics.
By PTI |
MELBOURNE: An Indian origin wrestler, who failed to make it to the national squad, is all set to don the Australian colour in the Beijing Olympics.
25-year-old Sandeep Kumar, who drives a taxi in the city, will be part of Australia's four-member wrestling team in the world's biggest sports event starting on August 8, The Age daily has reported.
"The Olympics was always my dream," he said. "This is my chance at the very highest level and I must do the best I can," said Kumar hoping for a gold medal in the mega event.
Son of a farmer, Kumar, who was given fast-tracked citizenship in 2004 on account of his sporting prowess, started wrestling as a teenager. As a fine athlete, he was selected for Indian youth teams.
However, because of what his coach and mentor Kuldip Singh Bassi described as "favouritism", he could not break into the national team. Bassi, impressed by the youngster's talent, helped him migrate to Australia.
"As a wrestler he has a strong heart," said Bassi, who runs a small wrestling camp here.
"He is not scared, he does not get nervous. As soon as he hits the mat he is go, go, go," he added
According to the report, Australia's local sports governing bodies suffer through poor-funding due to a low following of the game.
However, Kumar, whose world rank is 13th in 84-kilogram class, plans to finally give up taxi driving this week to concentrate on training following the financial assistance from the small 30-member local Punjabi community to meet his basic requirements.
"It's hard to believe, I know," Bassi said adding "But this is how we must do things. It is the only way."
Only three Australians have won Olympic wrestling medals and none of them were gold. The last was in 1948.
25-year-old Sandeep Kumar, who drives a taxi in the city, will be part of Australia's four-member wrestling team in the world's biggest sports event starting on August 8, The Age daily has reported.
"The Olympics was always my dream," he said. "This is my chance at the very highest level and I must do the best I can," said Kumar hoping for a gold medal in the mega event.
Son of a farmer, Kumar, who was given fast-tracked citizenship in 2004 on account of his sporting prowess, started wrestling as a teenager. As a fine athlete, he was selected for Indian youth teams.
However, because of what his coach and mentor Kuldip Singh Bassi described as "favouritism", he could not break into the national team. Bassi, impressed by the youngster's talent, helped him migrate to Australia.
"As a wrestler he has a strong heart," said Bassi, who runs a small wrestling camp here.
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"He is not scared, he does not get nervous. As soon as he hits the mat he is go, go, go," he added
According to the report, Australia's local sports governing bodies suffer through poor-funding due to a low following of the game.
However, Kumar, whose world rank is 13th in 84-kilogram class, plans to finally give up taxi driving this week to concentrate on training following the financial assistance from the small 30-member local Punjabi community to meet his basic requirements.
"It's hard to believe, I know," Bassi said adding "But this is how we must do things. It is the only way."
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Only three Australians have won Olympic wrestling medals and none of them were gold. The last was in 1948.
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