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Narsingh Yadav may get overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt as far as Indian wrestling is concerned, but make no mistake – the 25-year-old has done his bit for the country, winning medals in various international competitions. Narsingh, who learned his wrestling in Mumbai, is riding high after winning a bronze medal in the 2015 Asian Wrestling Championship in Doha, following up with his bronze-medal in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
The Maharastra Police DSP, who first catapulted into public attention when he won the 74-kg gold in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games, spoke about his preparations for the upcoming 2015 World Championships and the big one – 2016 Rio Olympics in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q. The next twelve months are going to be really big for Indian wrestling given the fact that the World Championships and the Rio Olympics are going to be held. How well prepared are you?
My training has been coming of well. The 2015 World Championship and the 2016 Rio Olympics are really two big events coming up and not just me, the entire Indian wrestling contingent is keyed up to do well in these events.
Q. You had won the gold medal at the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games, made your maiden Olympic debut in 2012 as well as bagged bronze medals in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and 2015 Doha Asian Wrestling Championship. With so much experience under your belt, is an Olympic medal your next target?
Ideally, I would love to win medals in the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio Olympics. Both are coveted tournaments and there is nothing like winning medals in these events for your country.
Q. There is a general feeling that the next tier of wrestlers like Narsingh Yadav, Amit Kumar and Bajrang are ready to come up with a blockbuster performance in Olympics and follow the footsteps of Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt. Your thoughts.
Sushil and Yogeshwar have attained a lot of fame and recognition for Indian wrestling. The other wrestlers have contributed their bit be it me, Amit, Bajrang and the rest of the grapplers. We won one medal in 2008 Olympics and two in 2012 Olympics and this time I’m confident of India winning three-four medals in Rio Olympics.
Q. Among the various medals you have won for the country, which medal will you cherish fondly?
Look, the 2010 Commonwealth Games was held in our own backyard and there were expectations to win a medal for the country and I cherish the gold at 2010 CWG fondly. I remember I had beaten South Africa’s Richard Addinall in the final, got the better of a Canadian wrestler in the semifinal and had pipped an English wrestler in the quarterfinals.
Q. At the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, you lost your opening round to an Uzbeskistan wrestler, but came back strongly to bag a bronze after going through the repechage round. Please elaborate.
I think my bronze medal play-off bout against Japan’s Daisuke Shimada is probably the best bout of my wrestling career. He was a tough opponent and I managed to beat him 10-7. I lost my first round bout in the Asiad but defeated a Turkemenistan grappler in the repechage round to enter into the bronze medal play-off round. Going on to win a medal after losing the first round bout was extra special.
Q. How much do you think the popularity of Indian wrestling has gone up since Sushil gave us that bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Absolutely! Wrestling has soared in popularity after that. A lot of youngsters are taking to wrestling as they see a future in it. I’m sure wrestling will get even bigger in coming years.
Q . Do you think talented wrestlers are mostly emerging from the Northern belt, especially Haryana?
There is no paucity of wrestling talent in the country. Yes, a state like Haryana is producing more talented wrestlers because their state government provides plenty of encouragement in terms of cash awards, jobs, etc. Parents can help their kids maybe up to the state level and after to sustain at the national level sponsorship or government aid is necessary. Talent-wise wrestlers are coming from across the country.
Q. Your dad is from Uttar Pradesh, but you were born in Mumbai and started your liking for wrestling over there. Tell us about it.
I picked up wrestling in Mumbai and I’m really grateful to the Maharastra government for providing me a DSP job with Maharastra Police. The state government has done a lot for me and I want to keep winning medals and make my country and state proud.
