In the build up to the London Olympics, Sushil Kumar always maintained that he wanted to change the colour of his medal that he won in Beijing. And here he has done it. He successfully accomplished his goal and won the silver medal in the 66kg freestyle wrestling, thus becoming the only Indian to win an individual medal twice. Though it was a bit disappointing to miss the yellow metal, nevertheless, Sushil's feat gave the Indians a lot to cheer about.
And it did not come so easy to him. Someone who knows Sushil will surely understand the kind of hardship and dedication that has gone into making him the 'Greatest Indian Olympian' ever.
Adversity brings the best out of you provided you are prepared to fight and Sushil was ready for that. The wrestler, who hails from a small village called Baprola at the outskirts of New Delhi, is a son of a bus conductor and was inspired by his cousin Sandeep to take up wrestling and something which his cousin can be proud of now.
Sushil first came in the picture when he won World Cadet Games in Poland in 1998 and he never looked back from there. From elementary training in the mud pits to sophisticated training on international mats, and eventually finishing on the Olympic podium, he has indeed come a long way.
Sushil, after rapid strides at the global stage, especially after his bronze medal win in Beijing, became a household name in the country, but the grappler never lost his focus and kept himself grounded. He promised of doing everything to live up to faith and expectation of his countrymen and he exactly lived up to it. He delivered on the expected lines and now comes back home with the silver medal dangling around his neck.
If Sushil sprang out of nowhere to secure a bronze four years back to put the country on the wrestling map, his silver in London now would make the sport a fascinating one for youngsters to pursue.
It was his dedication and discipline that has turned Sushil from a small time village boy to a revered icon. Sushil took his infant steps at the Chhatrasal Stadium's akhada under the watchful eyes of Yashvir, Ramphal and Mahabali Satpal Singh and then at the Railways camp by coach Gyan Singh. His humility and simplicity can take anyone by surprise and despite his success,he still is the same Pehalwanji for his mates at Chhatrasal.
Sushil, who always has been a frontrunner for India at the Games, missed out on his qualification twice and was also bogged down by injury. But he did not lose heart and did not divert from his goal. He practiced and made sure that he does not disappoint his fellow countrymen and finally earned his London ticket in style, when he won the World Qualifying Tournament in Taiyuan, China.
Sushil termed his late qualification as a boon because as entering the Games on a winning note would help and it sure did go as he thought. He did all that he could to carry the baton of the sport in the country and has done it successfully over the years to bring India to a level where India will be inspired to churn out more Sushil Kumars and be the supreme force in the sport that was incepted on its soil.
By Indian Sports News Network