Sushil Kumar’s long-awaited return to competitive wrestling was not without its share of controversy. In a bizarre turn of events, Sushil’s opponents in the quarter final, semi-final and final chose to concede instead of compete, and touched Sushil’s feet as a mark of respect.
Sushil’s glory years were in the 66 kg weight category. However, a restructuring of weight classes resulted in him having to move up to the 74 kg weight class – where he would have to face bigger, stronger wrestlers.
Sushil is relatively untested in this weight class – he won Commonwealth gold in 2014, but is yet to compete in a top tier tournament in this weight category.
Sushil’s opponents’ choice of giving him a walkover instead of conmpeting is bound to cause speculation in a sport that has been hit with its fair share of controversy in recent years. Conceding a match to a senior wrestler might be a part of tradition, but it is unprecedented in a tournament of this magnitude. What is clear though, is that Sushil could have used the experience if he intends to compete in elite wrestling tournaments again.
Sushil rolls into the semis without a contest as Praveen of Haryana steps to the mat, touches the double Olympic medalist’s feet and concedes the match. This was expected and it might not be for the first time today. On the stage Narsingh Yadav has his head stuck on a phone. pic.twitter.com/KtcCgZDjeM
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) November 17, 2017
And as predicted another wrestler concedes a walkover to Sushil Kumar. This time it is Sachin Rathi of UP who says he won’t fight. Sushil Kumar in wrestling national final without contesting a QF or SF. “This is our parampara,” the announcer explains to the crowd. pic.twitter.com/hkewGjpH5c
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) November 17, 2017
Just in case there was any doubt bout what was to happen, Sushil Kumar becomes national wrestling champion after Parveen Rana gives him a walkover in the final of the 74kg freestyle, his third in a row. Sushil only wrestled twice in Indore. pic.twitter.com/8VYFbfjbIX
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) November 17, 2017
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