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Games Village good, but Sonepat better
World champion Sushil Kumar and Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt have checked out of the Games Village. No, the wrestlers didn't have a problem, it's just that they felt they could prepare better at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Sonepat.
World champion Sushil Kumar and Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt have checked out of the Games Village. No, the wrestlers didn't have a problem, it's just that they felt they could prepare better at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Sonepat.
“I checked into the Village on Tuesday, but returned the same day to the SAI Centre. For the last couple of months, I have been training with my friends, Krishan, Amit and Rajnish, and they've helped me prepare better for the Games.
“But since they don't have access to the Village and training venues, I decided to train at Sonepat,” said Yogeshwar.
“My event is on October 9 and the weighing-in is a day earlier, so I will be again checking in (the Village) on October 6,” he added.
Asked if he was satisfied with the facilities in the Village, Yogeshwar said, “Everything is very good,”
The same is the case with wrestling's poster boy, Sushil. “I am thankful to my friends who've helped me in training and I owe a lot to them for my success. By virtue of being in the team, I have access to the Village, but not my group. I will be going to Delhi on October 3 for the opening and baton ceremonies and will return to Sonepat. I will be going for my event (October 10, the weighing-in is on the 9th),” said Sushil. “At this moment, what matters is where we can train best and Sonepat is the best-suited place,” he added.
Sushil is training with wrestlers, Pardeep, Sumit, Madan Harfull and Padam. “They take care of my training from the diet to sparring partners. They also take care of massage and keeping the body in a relaxed state,” said Sushil, who is eyeing gold at the Games. “We are the hosts so we can't let anybody else win gold. Moreover, people have expectations from us and we can't let them down,” he added.
Yogeshwar said, “If I get a gold here, it will be all because of the effort of these wrestlers who are helping me out at Sonepat.
