‘Speechless’: Sushil Kumar’s arrest in homicide case shocks sports activities fraternity

There was lingering disbelief and appreciable disappointment because the nation’s sports activities fraternity got here to phrases with Sushil Kumar’s monumental fall from being one in every of India’s biggest Olympians to an arrestee in a homicide case.
The stockily-built man, who was once wrapped within 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.

#JUSTIN:First picture of India’s most-decorated sportsperson, Sushil Kumar after he was arrested by the Delhi Police. Kumar had been on the run since May 5 when an FIR was registered towards him underneath IPC Sections 302, abduction,& 120-B at Model Town police station. @IndianSpecific pic.twitter.com/OqP2F6NM7o
— Mahender Singh Manral (@mahendermanral) May 23, 2021
He was evading a Non-Bailable Warrant for his alleged involvement within the dying of a 23-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar throughout a brawl on the Chhatrasal Stadium, thought of the cradle of Indian wrestling, made most well-known by Sushil — India’s solely sportsperson with two particular person Olympic medals.
Dhankar was the son of a Delhi Police constable and educated on the stadium earlier than he died on May 5 due to the accidents he sustained within the brawl.
The chain of occasions has left the Indian sports activities fraternity shocked although 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.

#JUSTIN: Two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar in police custody. @IndianSpecific, @ieDelhi pic.twitter.com/lhKCwNv0lW
— Mahender Singh Manral (@mahendermanral) May 23, 2021
“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, advised PTI.
Both Vijender and Sushil gained 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 mentioned.
“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 mentioned he nonetheless can’t perceive what precisely went incorrect 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 mentioned.
“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.