Jack of all martial arts

NARENDER GREWAL, 24 Hisar, Wushu champ

BECAUSE

He won bronze in Wushu, also called Chinese Kungfu, in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. It was his second successive continental games medal. Wushu is a hard and complete martial art.

SECRET OF SUCCESS

There are no short cuts to success. As you know Wushu, is an endurance-based combat sport. We have to work extra hard and face the blows even when we are winning the game.

A Wushu champion has to be proficient in wrestling, boxing and taekwondo at the same time. It is a tall order and requires hours of practice as all these three fields have their own requirements. I try my best to train as hard as possible in all the three. I also train my mind because a Wushu champ must be ready to suffer blows and still not go down. Victory and defeat are equally in the mind as well.

THE GOAL NEXT

I want to win the World Championship as I have never won it till now. For the last two Asian Games, I was only able to win a bronze so I want to change the colour of my medal.

I have four years in my hand and I will do my best to improve my standing from third to first.

MY ROLE MODEL

My role models are Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt. Sushil Kumar has made India proud numerous times and Yogeshwar Dutt is an inspiration for all sportspersons who have had to face injuries. He has had around eight to ten operations but he did not give up.

I too broke my jaw in 2015. The doctors told me that I would not be able to play again but I took inspiration from Yogeshwar sir and rebounded. These days I am playing better than ever before.

BY THE WAY

I enjoy watching movies made on the life of sporting greats. I also enjoy watching others in the ring.

SECOND OPINION

“He is one of the best and the most experienced Wushu players in the country. He will definitely live upto our expectations in the next Asian Games.”

–Kuldeep Handoo, Wushu coach