Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar is said to be doubtful for the Asian Wrestling Championship to be held in Kyrgyzstan from February 24-March 4 due to an knee injury but should be fit to defend his Commonwealth Games gold, according to Hindustan Times.
Sushil had injured his knee during the selection trials for the Asian Championship and the Commonwealth Games which led to a fracas between his supporters and wrestler Parveen Rana, whom he defeated in the final.
“If you aren’t fit, chances of getting injured again are very high. Taking risk in the continental meet and then missing other major events isn’t good,” the newspaper quoted Sushil’s long time coach Yashvir Singh as saying.
“There was concern over the injured knee. Because of the nature of injury, he hasn’t been able to train as per the plans,” he said adding if Sushil doesn’t get to train well 15-20 days before the event then there was no point in going for the continental meet.
The Wrestling Federation of India, however, insists that Sushil’s name still figured in their list of participants for the Asian Championship and they have no further information.
Sushil, who fighting in the 74kg freestyle category, has already withdrawn from the ongoing Pro Wrestling League to recover from the injury.
The 34-year-old’s return to competition has already been mired in controversy with the champion wrestler winning the senior nationals after getting three walkovers and now faces an inquiry over his role in the fracas between his supporters and Rana.
There are already allegations that Sushil only wants to compete in the Commonwealth Games as the competition there won’t be as tough and is favourite to win gold.
And despite the injury, Yashvir confirmed that Sushil should be fit for the Games in Gold Coast, starting on April 4. “There is enough time for the Games. He (Sushil) should be fit by then,” he was quoted as saying by the paper.