Sushil Kumar gearing up for Asian Championship

Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar on Thursday exuded confidence to put up a successful show in the Asian Wrestling Championship, starting from May 1.

"I have been busy in intensive training for the trial in Sonepat," Sushil said.
    
"One team has been selected on March 31 in the trial. Apart from me and Rajiv Tomar, among others Rahul Amre, a new wrestler from Maharashtra in the 55 kg category is also there. We have a strong team and I'm confident of doing well," he said.

However, Sushil said his main aim remains the much coveted 2010 Comonwealth Games.
    
"My main aim is the Commonwealth Games and I am aiming to do well there. It is hapenning in India for the first time and I feel I have to give something back to my countrymen who have given me so much love and appreciation," he said.

In the Asian Wrestling Championship last year at Jeju, Korea, Yogeswar Dutt bagged a gold medal in 60 kg and Sushil had won a bronze medal in 66 kg.

The Beijing Olympic bronze medallist, who was here to unveil his pro-vegetarian advertisement for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, feels eating vegetarian gives Indian wrestler an edge over their foreign
counterparts.

"Many foreign wrestlers eat non-vegetarian but our wrestlers always have vegetarian diet and I feel it gives us more stamina," he said.

The 25-year-old freestyle wrestler said he got a lot of modelling offer after the Beijing Olympics triumph but he is not interested as he wants to concentrate on his game.

Besides Wrestling, Sushil said he also plays football and basketball to gain fitness.