What wrestling is going through is unfortunate: Sushil Kumar

Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar today said the doping scandal surrounding fellow wrestler Narsingh Yadav, who was picked ahead of him for the Rio Olympics, is “unfortunate”.

Reacting to the controversy, which has jeopardised Narsingh’s participation in Rio amid allegations that the wrestler might have been framed by rivals, Sushil said he will always support his fellow grapplers. He tweeted a 20-second video message:

very unfortunate 2 see the Wrestling go through this. I hv given my life to ot
& wl always support fellow wrestlers pic.twitter.com/CUsbIGf8Gb

— Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) July 25, 2016

Without referring to the incident, Sushil said, “I wanted to win a third medal for India but for the past one month, I have been away from preparations for Olympics. I have instead been supporting my fellow wrestlers in the hope that they would bring a medal for the country.”

Narsingh has tested positive for methandienone -- a banned anabolic steroid. The 26-year-old has maintained that the substance was mixed in his food by rivals.

Narsingh has already given a written complaint to the Wrestling Federation of India, which has backed him on claims of conspiracy.

Narsingh, who won the 74kg Olympic quota berth with a World Championships bronze medal last year, was selected for Rio in controversial circumstances after Sushil’s demands for a trial were rejected both by the WFI and the Delhi High Court.

Read | Why Narsingh Yadav’s failed dope test won’t open Rio doors for Sushil Kumar