A player who has been the role model to a large sports community, the only player in the country to win two Olympic medals in an individual event, India’s only world champion of wrestling, and a turning point in Indian wrestling - Sushil Kumar.
It was a shocking sight when he was seen hiding his face behind a towel as a Delhi Police Special Cell team paraded him following his arrest over the murder of a 23-year-old former junior wrestling champion.
Let’s take a look at his life journey just 2 days after his birthday (26th May) and how an Olympic legend is now a jailed murder accused.
Sushil was born in Baprola village, in South West Delhi. He was inspired to take up wrestling by his father who was a wrestler himself and his cousin Sandeep. Kumar trained in pehlwani wrestling at the wrestling school in the Chhatrasal Stadium from the age of 14.
Kumar has accomplished a great deal in a small amount of time. He carried the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics; he received India's highest honor for sportspersons - the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna; and on October 3, 2010, he handed the Queen's Baton to Prince Charles for the 2010 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Sushil also won the gold medal in the 74 kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
An inspiration
His success inspired many more in the game as he almost single-handedly lifted Indian wrestling to unprecedented heights. Sushil’s international success triggered a revolution of sorts as Indian wrestling witnessed the rise of Yogeshwar Dutt, Geeta, and Babita Phogat.
Charges of murder, abduction, and criminal conspiracy
But things fell apart at a time when Sushil said he was still preparing to earn a berth for the Tokyo Olympics. He is now facing charges of murder, abduction, and criminal conspiracy related to a violent clash on May 4 between two groups at Delhi’s Chhatrasal wrestling academy. Wrestler Sagar Dhankhar, who was involved in the clash, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The interrogation
The Delhi Police arrested Sushil and his associate, Ajay on May 23 in Delhi’s outer Mundka area. After his arrest, the Delhi Police presented him in Rohini court and the court granted a six-day remand of Kumar to Delhi police. During his interrogation, Kumar said that he just wanted to scare Sagar Dhankad, and that is why Dhankad was beaten up. Kumar further said that he stayed in the stadium after the brawl, but left Delhi after hearing about Dhankad's death.
Source: Livehindustan which quoted police officials
Sushil Kumar once had a promising future: people only thought about his success when they heard his name. But in light of his legal issues, everything good in his life is at stake- his job as an assistant commercial manager for Indian railways, and more importantly, his reputation.
Like what you read? Share this article with your friends and follow us on:
Instagram| Medium| Facebook