Sushil Kumar Wins Gold At Nationals By Walkovers, Farhan Akhtar Says It’s Not ‘Sportsmanlike’

Sushil-Kumar-Farhan-Akhtar-Sportsmanlike

Sushil Kumar, the Olympian wrestler, who has made Indians proud, had a cakewalk victory, recently. Returning to the mat after close to three years, a rustic Kumar won gold at Nationals. But not on his merit or by the display of exceptional wrestling skills, but by three walkovers.

On Friday, Sushil was declared the winner in the 74kg category at the National Wrestling Championship in Indore. He won after three wrestlers, including the finalist Praveen Rana, gave him walkovers.

Rana cited a thigh injury while giving Kumar a walkover.

During the quaterfinal and semi-final matches, Kumar’s opponents came to the mat, bowed down, touched his feet and then he was declared winner. According to a Times of India report, the referee lauded for the two wrestlers. He said,

“Dekhiye, yehi humari parampara hai (Look, this is our tradition).”

Wrestling coach Sujeet Maan said that walkovers are not illegal.

“Giving a walkover is allowed. It isn’t illegal, but whosoever does this should give a legitimate reason to the technical committee. The committee decides whether it is valid or not. In this case, the technical committee for the championship must have found the reasons given by the three wrestlers as legitimate.”

 

Former national women’s freestyle coach Kripa Shankar Bishnoi told TOI,

This was expected. Saare pehelwaan Sushil se thar thar kaapte hai (All the wrestlers are scared of Sushil). The finalist (Rana), in fact, came to the mat with his shoulders already drooping. I knew he wasn’t in a mood to fight Sushil and was just there to tell the referee that he was conceding the bout. Both wrestlers wanted to fight the repechage rounds for a bronze medal. Therefore, they didn’t want to waste their energy in fighting with Sushil.”

 

Sushil tweeted about his wins. The first one was dedicated to India’s daughters.

Then, the second one.

And, here’s the third.

Upon reading this news, Farhan Akhtar added his two cents to it and tweeted,

People started supporting Farhan.

Another said that Sushil wasn’t a Barbie.

And, one said that this isn’t the way to play.

Some couldn’t stop pitying the field of sports.

Is this really the win Sushil should enjoy, guys? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

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