Sushil likely for first mud wrestling meet of WFI
MUMBAI: Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar said on Wednesday he might take part in the Dangal, to be organised by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in Pune later this month. This is the first time the national federation will host this traditional competition on clay --- in six weight categories and offering prize money.
“Traditional kushti is an old custom. That we’re trying to revive is in itself a great thing. If I’m free, I’ll definitely take part. I fight on the mud as well,” Sushil told Hindustan Times.
It’s yet to be seen if elite wrestlers take part given the differences in technique with wrestling on mat. The latter is a fast format while clay provides better grip and there are a number of changes a wrestler has to keep in mind.
WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said: “No wrestler is bound by the federation to take part. It’s up to them if they want to compete. UWW, our international organisation, has realised that wrestling on clay must be promoted as traditional wres- tling. They probably want to hold an international competition. There are a few murmurs as well on how this can be pushed on to the Olympics… There will also be certificates issued for it (dangal). I feel a lot of players, including the top names, will take part.”
CONTRACT UPGRADED
The WFI on Wednesday upgraded the central contracts of Sushil Kumar and fellow Olympic medallist, Sakshi Malik, to Grade A, having initially placed them in Grade B. It handed out its first-ever contracts to five wrestlers — Pooja Dhanda, Sajan, Divya Kakran, Sushil and Sakshi.
The contracts were handed over at the launch of the Tata Motors Elite Wrestlers Development Program, here. Under the initiative, there will be two foreign coaches to train the men’s and women’s teams for the Asian Championships to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan next year and the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, an Olympic qualifier. The programme will also help fund overseas exposure trips for wrestlers and provide insurance against injuries.
However, wrestlers like world silver medallist Bajrang Punia and Sakshi are with the private bodies such as Olympic Gold Quest and JSW Sport, who offer similar support.
The federation isn’t concerned. “We don’t have any problem. They don’t have a system like ours. They have been supporting a few wrestlers, but it’s for us to train the wrestlers. It’s we who hold the camps,” Brij Bhushan said.
JSW Sports CEO Mustafa Ghouse said: “There’s no change for us. Once they’re ready with their plan, everyone will sit together and we will do what’s best for Bajrang, Sakshi or Pooja, or any other wrestler with us.”