Sushil Kumar excited for his first ever appearance in Pro Wrestling League

SportsCafe Desk
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Sushil Kumar is excited to kick-off his first-ever Pro Wrestling League stint that is entering its third season and is scheduled to start from January 9 at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in Delhi. The two-time Olympic medalist has also urged the wrestling fans not to miss the action at any cost.

Sushil is ready to make his debut in the Pro Wrestling League on Tuesday for Delhi Sultans, who shelled out a record amount of Rs 55 lakh in the auction. The first encounter will be held between Delhi Sultans and Mumbai Maharathi. UP Dangal, NCR Punjab Royals, Haryana Hammers, and Vir Marathas are the other teams, which are going to take part in the league.

The Pro Wrestling League challenge will not be easy for Sushil who will participate in the 74Kg category that involves the likes of former European Champion Jabrayil Hasanov, Olympic medallist Akzhurek Tanatarov, Asian Champion Bekzod Abdurakhmonov, Olympian Jakob Makarashvili and Georgian star Tariel Gaprindashvili. The two Olympic medals winner is, however, quite excited about his maiden appearance.

“I am really excited about the Pro Wrestling League starting in New Delhi on Tuesday, as I am participating in it for the first time,” Sushil wrote in his column for TOI.

“I watched a number of bouts very closely during the first two seasons. And I must say that a number of them are still very fresh in my mind; some of them I can perhaps never forget. On a personal note, I must say that I am looking forward to it for another reason. For the first time, my two children will be seeing me wrestle in a top-level event in the country. We celebrated both their birthdays just a few days ago, and I promised them a unique gift, that is to let them see me in action. I will be a little tense for sure but I will be keener to put up a good show for my kids.”

“The interesting bit about wrestling as a sport is that it is almost impossible to predict which way it will go. Over the years, I have seen many of my friends and foes turning a lost cause into victory at virtually the last moment. Similarly, I have seen a few formidable names dominating the bout for the most part but somehow capitulating at the very end,” he added.

The 34-year-old won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic and a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics which attracted the Indian fans towards the sport. In 2016 Rio Olympics, Sakshi Malik also won a bronze medal in the 58 Kg weight category that further helped in raising the interest level of people. Bollywood has also been instrumental in promoting the game as the Aamir Khan-starrer "Dangal", which was based on the life of Mahavir Phogat, drew the Indian crowd to the theatres and inspired them to follow the sport more closely. Sushil believed that the league will also be work in the favour of the sport that gives an opportunity to India to host world’s best wrestlers.

“I am happy to see the rising growth and popularity of the Pro Wrestling League. The organizers have done a wonderful job of bringing the world's best wrestlers to the country and I urge fans not to miss the action at any cost. I do hope that we will have a cracking season which will grip the entire nation.

"I have a riveting opening contest against Virdev Giulya of the Mumbai Maharathi team in the 74-kg category. Giulya is a highly talented youngster, with immense potential,” Sushil added.

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