Sushil Kumar arrested: Mixed emotions in Indian sports after Delhi Police pin Olympic champion in murder case | Other Sports News

New Delhi: There was lingering disbelief and appreciable disappointment because the nation’s sports fraternity got here to phrases with Sushil Kumar’s monumental fall from being one in all India’s biggest Olympians to an arrestee in a murder case.

The stockily-built man, who was once wrapped in the Tri-colour after successful medals for the nation, had his face masked by a towel and each palms held by Delhi Police’s particular cell officers on Sunday after being on the run for previous many days.   

Ironically, all this unfolded on World Wrestling Day. He was evading a non-bailable warrant for his alleged involvement in the dying of a 23-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar throughout a brawl on the Chhatrasal Stadium, thought-about the cradle of Indian wrestling, made most well-known by Sushil — India’s solely sportsperson with two particular person Olympic medals. 

In Pics | Top 5 achievements of Olympic medalist and murder accused Sushil Kumar 

Dhankar was the son of a Delhi Police constable and skilled on the stadium earlier than he died on May 5 due to the accidents he sustained in the brawl.

The chain of occasions has left the Indian sports fraternity shocked regardless that respect for Sushil’s achievements stays intact. The 37-year-old is, to this date, India’s solely world champion in wrestling and a three-time Commonwealth Games gold-winner.

“What he has done for Indian sports is something that can never be taken away from him. That”s all I want to say at this point. Let things be clearer. I don”t want to comment more,” boxing star Vijender Singh, who has been to 2 Olympic Games with Sushil, instructed PTI. 

Also Read | The downfall of Sushil Kumar: From Olympic champion to a murder accused 

Both Vijender and Sushil received historic bronze medals on the 2008 Beijing Games. Vijender stays India’s sole male Olympic medallist in boxing.

Seasoned desk tennis participant A Sharath Kamal, who’s gearing up for his fourth Olympic look, conceded that Indian sport’s picture will take successful. Kamal’s restricted interactions with Sushil have taken place throughout social occasions as Olympians.

“If this has actually happened, it is unfortunate and reflects badly on Indian sport, not just wrestling,” he stated.

“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 on the 2008 Olympics, recalled interacting with Sushil on the Games and stated he nonetheless cannot perceive what precisely went unsuitable 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 stated.

“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 noticed.

Many different athletes, to whom PTI reached out for a tackle the matter, additionally described Sushil as a easy particular person and had been baffled by how issues took such a flip. They most well-liked to maintain their observations nameless.

A distinguished wrestling colleague of Sushil suggested warning whereas 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 stated.

“He has two small children, think of the impact on them,” added a prime boxer who knew Sushil intently and nonetheless 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 isn’t just his brethren in Olympic sports, Sushil was a lot admired in the cricketing fraternity too. A former cricketer, who has interacted with him at social occasions, would look ahead to extra particulars earlier than 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 stated.

A former hockey captain stated fall of a hero of Sushil’s stature is rarely good for sports in basic.

“…if the allegations are correct, it would be the darkest episode in Indian sports. He was a role model for many young athletes,” he stated.

A distinguished member of the capturing fraternity was nonetheless processing what has transpired thus 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 stated.

However, a widely known badminton participant felt that Indian sports will survive the setback as new heroes would take form in instances to return.

“…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 stated.