Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar on Saturday brushed aside the hat-tricks of walkovers en-route his gold at National Wrestling championship, stating that the situation was beyond his control.
“If my opponents are not ready to fight, what could I have possibly done in such circumstances,” Sushil told mediapersons here after winning the yellow metal in the most bizarre manner at the National championship.
READ | Sushil Kumar ‘walks over’ to gold at National Wrestling; Sakshi, Geeta excel
Some of Sushil’s opponents touched his feet to pay respect while conceding their bouts and referee termed it as “our tradition”.
When asked about it, Sushil replied: “Every sportspersons respect their seniors but when two wrestlers are fighting it out on a mat, they are equals. But this is a completely different matter that that a grappler does not want to fight it out against the opposition.”
READ | Wrestler Sushil Kumar’s golden return shrouded in walkover ‘mystery’
Back in action action after three years, Sushil battled for just 2 minutes and 33 seconds in total on the mat as he fought only two of his initial round bouts before three of his opponents -- in the quarterfinal, semifinal and final -- gave him a walk over.
With people questioning the merit of his victory, a nonchalant Sushil said: “Controversy has always followed me wherever I have gone.”
{{/usCountry}}With people questioning the merit of his victory, a nonchalant Sushil said: “Controversy has always followed me wherever I have gone.”
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