Grappler Sushil Kumar plans to give Asian Games a miss

Are you saying that you will not take part in the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 2019?
Yes, you can say that Glasgow was my last CWG. And if I go to the FILA Wrestling World Championships in Tashkent, then I will be forced to skip the forthcoming Asian Games in Incheon.

So, an Asian Games gold medal will again elude you...
Yes, but I intend to participate in the world championships because there is hardly a gap of 10 days between the two events. It won't be easy for me to focus on both. I always feel that the world meet offers a much stiffer competition.

Are you targeting another gold at the world meet?
I had practised hard for the CWG gold and now I am preparing for the world championships. I want to win a gold medal there too. But my ultimate goal is to win the gold medal at the Rio Olympics. I follow a simple mantra — one should compete in international events till the time he has the strength in his body and remains injury-free. Hopefully, I will also remain injury-free and give my best at the Rio Games.

Did you find it difficult to adjust to the 74 kg category?
It's difficult to adjust to the new weight category because my weight is still less than 74 kg. During CWG practice sessions, I used to train with fellow grapplers who compete in higher weight categories. That helped me a lot, but I don't intend to go down to a lower category now. I hope I will be able to bring home another gold from the world championships.

Is there pressure to compete in Asian Games too?
I have come to know that the Wrestling Federation of India has decided to send a 'B' team to the world championships, but I would personally like to compete in the tournament. I will speak to the WFI president in this regard. I feel the kind of experience you get in the world championships, no other tournament offers you the same level of competition. I believe every wrestler should participate in the world championships and use that experience in other international tournaments. My world championships gold in 2010 boosted the profile of wrestling in the country.

Every young wrestler compliments you for immense help during training. Are we going to see you shift focus to coaching after retirement?
Our camps take place simultaneously. Moreover, all these young wrestlers, like Amit Kumar or Bajrang, have been staying with us from a very young age. So, whenever I feel that I can contribute to their technique or strength, I always tell them. Even I learn certain things from them. Right now, I have not thought of coaching.

Do you feel proud that Indian wrestling is on the right track?
The Nigerian wrestling president came to me at CWG and told me that India has a great future. I feel the same. I also give a lot of credit to our federation and our coaches for providing all facilities and maintaining a good schedule for all the wrestlers. My simple theory is that one should just adhere to his or her training schedule and medals will automatically follow.

Our female wrestlers also draw inspiration from you?
I would like to congratulate our girls for such a stupendous showing at the CWG. If I was their inspiration, then I would like to urge them to take the sport to greater heights so that more and more girls take to the sport.

How was it to wrestle in front of your twin sons for the first time?
It was the first time that my kids — Suvaran Solanki and Suvir Solanki — saw me in action. It was a very special moment for me. But I am happy that I was able to win gold for my country.

Can we expect your sons to carry forward your legacy?
Yeh toh banta hai ji (that's obvious). I can certainly promise that one of them will certainly be a wrestler.