‘Don’t know what to say’: Mixed emotions in Indian sports after Sushil Kumar’s arrest in murder case | More sports News – Times of India

Both Vijender and Sushil won historic bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. Vijender remains India’s sole male Olympic medallist in boxing.
Seasoned table tennis player A Sharath Kamal, who is gearing up for his fourth Olympic appearance, conceded that Indian sport’s image will take a hit. Kamal’s limited interactions with Sushil have taken place during social events as Olympians.
“If this has actually happened, it is unfortunate and reflects badly on Indian sport, not just wrestling,” he said.
“He is one of the best athletes we have had. People look up to him. So if he has done what he has done, it will negatively impact not just wrestlers but athletes from other sports also.”
Former hockey captain Ajitpal Singh, an Indian Olympic Association observer at the 2008 Olympics, recalled interacting with Sushil at the Games and said he still can’t understand what exactly went wrong with the “polite” man.
“…it is very shameful and unfortunate. Being a role model Sushil should have led by example and never indulged in such a brawl. He has got everything in life, the sport gave him everything, money, fame,” he said.
“I met him during the Beijing Olympics where I was an IOA observer and found him to be a very down to earth and polite guy. But having said that everyone needs to know how to handle fame,” he observed.
Many other athletes, to whom PTI reached out for a take on the matter, also described Sushil as a simple person and were baffled by how things took such a turn. They preferred to keep their observations anonymous.
A prominent wrestling colleague of Sushil advised caution while forming opinions.
“Yes he has been arrested but only time and investigation will tell if he was involved or not. But definitely it has hurt the image of wrestling and sport in general. Let’s see what comes out of the investigation,” he said.
“He has two small children, think of the impact on them,” added a top boxer who knew Sushil closely and still can’t make sense of the developments.
Sushil has two sons from his marriage to his coach Satpal Maharaj‘s daughter Savi. The couple tied the knot in 2011.
It is not just his brethren in Olympic sports, Sushil was much admired in the cricketing fraternity too. A former cricketer, who has interacted with him at social events, would wait for more details before forming an opinion.
“He is still just an accused.”
“…but having said that, it’s often about the company you keep once you attain a level. It is disappointing but if he is innocent he will certainly get justice,” he said.
A former hockey captain said the fall of a hero of Sushil’s stature is never good for sports in general.
“…if the allegations are correct, it would be the darkest episode in Indian sports. He was a role model for many young athletes,” he said.
A prominent member of the shooting fraternity was still processing what has transpired so far.
“Something like this is unheard of where an Olympian is concerned. It is beyond belief, quite shocking if it has actually happened. I don’t know what to say,” he said.
However, a well-known badminton player felt that Indian sports will survive the setback as new heroes would take shape in times to come.
“…it may affect wrestling for the moment, because he is the biggest name in the sport but in the long run it won’t matter…sports will move on. We have seen spot-fixing and match-fixing happening in cricket but the sport only got bigger,” the shuttler said.