From the akhadas of hard work, sweat, and determination, champions are born. Wrestling has blessed India with many great sportsmen. Is it possible to talk about wrestling champions without mentioning Sushil Kumar? Not! The megastar needs no introduction, but his life story needs to be told. An exciting journey, with numerous challenges and even more rewards, let us explore the story of our pehelwan.

Sushil Kumar Bio

Wrestler Sushil Kumar’s life – Highlights | Information

• A young boy from Baprola, Delhi, steps into the akhada for the first time at the age of 14. Inspired by his father and cousin, both wrestlers, he has great dreams in his eyes.
• The journey is not easy for the humble family, but the support pours from each member. Their sacrifices seem worthwhile, as the boy becomes a champion by winning the gold medal at the World Cadet Games.
• From here on, there is no stopping him. He conquers one akhada after another and wins not just medals, but also the imagination of the entire nation.
• Sushil Kumar has numerous records to his name. He belongs to the elusive club of having two individual Olympic medals to his name.
• Commonwealth Games, world championships, Asian championships, Asian Games, you name it, and Sushil Kumar has won a medal there!
• The journey has been incredible, with its fair share of difficulties. The gold at the Asian Games has eluded this mighty wrestler, and he is all set to change that.
• Delhi Police arrested Sushil Kumar in connection with the murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankhar during a brawl in the Chhatrasal Stadium on 4 May 2021.
• After arresting Kumar, Delhi Police presented him in Rohini court, and the court granted a six-day remand of Kumar to the Delhi police

Family Background Information of Wrestler Sushil Kumar

Sushil Kumar was born in a humble family in the small village of Baprola, in Delhi. His father, Diwan Singh, earlier worked as a driver in MTNL Delhi, and his mother, Kamla Devi, is a housewife. Sushil’s father and cousin, Sandeep, were both wrestlers and were the reason Sushil got into wrestling. Sandeep had to stop wrestling, as their family couldn't financially support two wrestlers in the family.

It isn't a surprise that Sushil Kumar considers both of them his biggest inspirations. He could not have reached the pinnacles of success without the constant financial as well as emotional support of his entire family. His extended family members contributed a lot by sending him tins of ghee, cans of milk, and cooked vegetables during his training. In 2011, Sushil married Savi Kumar. Savi is the daughter of Sushil's coach Satpal Singh. The lovely couple is blessed with two twin boys.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar – Training

Sushil Kumar started his training at the Chhatrasal Stadium’s akhada at the age of 14. Initially, Yashvir Singh and Ramphal coached him. In this 2012 interview with the Times of India, Sushil says, "Coach saab (Yashvir) has played a big role in my achievements. I have trained with him since 1998, and he is a very good coach."

Later, Satpal Singh started training the wrestling champion and his future son-in-law. The Arjun-awardee trainer was a major influence on Sushil and played a key role in his development. After Sushil's phenomenal performance at the Commonwealth Games 2018, the proud coach said, "Bahut shaandaar kushti lada” Sushil (Sushil fought an excellent bout). He surpassed my expectations. He was too good in all aspects - attack, defense, power, technique, everything."

Gyan Singh and Rajkumar Baisla Gurjar trained him at the Indian Railways camp.

Interesting Facts about the Wrestler Sushil Kumar

• Sushil Kumar works as an Assistant Commercial Manager in the Indian Railways.
• Sushil Kumar is the first wrestler to be bestowed with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. And was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2005 and the Padma Shri in 2011.
• Wrestler Sushil Kumar does not drink or smoke. In fact, he denied an alcohol brand endorsement deal as it would have set a wrong example for his followers.
• Sushil is also a pure vegetarian and has campaigned for PETA. He also broke the myth that vegetarians cannot be strong wrestlers.
• Sushil 4 Sports is a charity organization started by him to help aspiring athletes.
• In 2015, he was a co-judge of the reality show MTV Roadies.
• The athletes of the 2010 Commonwealth Games voted him as the Most Popular Athlete.
• Sushil Kumar Solanki is the first and the only person to win two individual Olympic medals for independent India.
• Lionel Messi is Sushil Kumar’s favorite athlete, and Amitabh Bachchan is his favorite actor.
• When on a cheat day, Sushil Kumar loves to hog on his favorite food, parathas.
• He can do as many as 1000 pull-ups in a day!

Sushil Kumar to Wrestler Sushil Kumar-The Stellar Journey

Beijing Olympics 2008, Beijing, China

• He participated in the 66 kg freestyle wrestling event at the Beijing Olympics.
• In the first round, he lost to Andriy Stadnik from Ukraine.
• The repechage round was his only hope of bringing home a medal. He beat Doug Schwab from the United States of America and Albert Batyrov from Belarus in the first and second repechage rounds, respectively.
• Finally, he defeated Leonid Spiridonov from Kazakhstan to win the bronze medal and simultaneously create history!

Sushil Kumar in the World Wrestling Championships 2010, Moscow, Russia

• Sushil Kumar continued his dominance in the 66 kg freestyle wrestling category by winning a gold medal. He defeated Alan Gogaev of Russia in the finals.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar in the Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi, India

• Sushil beat Muhammad Salman from Pakistan in the quarterfinals of the 66 kg freestyle wrestling category.
• In the semifinals, he demolished Gambian wrestler Famara Jariou within 9 seconds!
• Next, he shattered the dreams of South African Heinrich Barnes and won. The gold medal was finally

Sushil in the London Olympics 2012, London, England

• The London Olympics were indeed a special event for Sushil as he was the Olympic flag bearer for India at the opening ceremony.
• He participated in the 74 kg freestyle wrestling event.

• Sushil defeated Akzhurek Tanatarov from Kazakhstan in the semifinal.
• Unfortunately, he had to settle for a silver medal after he lost to Japanese wrestler Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu in the finals.
• However, the second silver at the Olympics was no easy feat, and Sushil made history. He is the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals in independent India.

Wrestler in the Commonwealth Games 2014, Glasgow, Scotland

• Commonwealth Games have become Sushil Kumar’s forte; he won the second consecutive gold in 2014. He beat Qamar Abbas from Pakistan in the 74 kg category.