In our childhood, Sushil and I shared a singular aspiration – to bring home medals for our nation, dating back to 1999 when we clinched gold at the World Cadet Championship in Poland. This victory fueled our determination to aim for Olympic medals, despite facing mockery.
Undeterred, we persevered, and eventually, our dreams came true. Sushil secured two Olympic medals, and I earned one. This journey was a collective effort, with significant contributions from our team and family. Sports, we realized, is a collaborative endeavor, where one cannot thrive in isolation.
Even though I have retired from wrestling, the respect and affection from people persist. In our country, winning gold at cadet and junior levels is common, but disappointment often follows at the senior level. Achieving Olympic participation was once deemed a monumental feat, let alone winning a medal. Fortunately, perceptions have evolved, thanks to athletes like Neeraj Chopra and others who have brought home gold and medals, elevating India’s standing in the Olympics. The changing mindset of athletes is evident in their outstanding performances. Wrestling, being a costly sport, demands substantial monthly expenses, including training and diet, ranging from Rs 20,000 to 25,000 for grassroots players.
