After Exit, Wrestler Hardeep Makes Plea for Support at Grassroots

“There’s no shortfall of cash and rewards once you win a medal, but what about before that?”

Rio de Janerio: Ildem Cenk of Turkey is declared the winner against India’s Hardeep Singh (Blue) in Men’s 98 Kg wrestling. (Photo; PTI)

Soon after crashing out in the first round of 98kg category at the Rio Olympics, Indian Greco Roman wrestler Hardeep Singh said the nation should not only support athletes after winning medals but also during their journey.

Hardeep lost 2-1 to Turkey’s Ildem Cenk on technical points.

There’s no shortfall of cash and rewards once you win a medal but you always struggle and there’s hardly anyone to support you in India during the journey to the Games.

Hardeep Singh

India, who had sent its biggest-ever Olympic contingent number, are yet to win a medal with five days left and a storm has already started brewing back home.

“It’s the story for most of Olympic athletes, we really struggle to come at this level,” he said praising Sports Authority of India (SAI) for helping him prepare for the Olympics as India qualified for Greco Roman wrestling for the first time since Athens 2004.

India’s Hardeep Singh (Blue) fights with Ildem Cenk of Turkey in Men’s 98 Kg wrestling during the 2016 Summer Olympics at Rio de Janerio. (Photo: PTI)

Hardeep, who is also a 2013 Commonwealth Championship bronze medallist in freestyle, further highlighted the plight of a Greco Roman wrestler in India.

There was no Greco Roman at the University level so I competed in freestyle. Not many compete in this style in India. We don’t have any disadvantage in coaching. The only drawback that I had was I started late(in 2009). I would have been at advantage had I begun at an early stage. Now they’re starting early so the base is becoming strong.

Hardeep Singh

Hardeep, however, is not giving up and hopes to make the next Olympics four years later in Tokyo. “It’s just about hardwork and dedication and God will be with you. If I save myself from the danger of injury, I will target the next Olympics in Tokyo 2020,” he said.