Sushil Kumar: Wrestling great opens up about PWL absence, Narsingh Yadav

New Delhi: Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar was recently in the news for suddenly opting out of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL).

Offering explanations over Sushil's absence in the inaugural edition of the league, PWL governing council member Rashmi Suleja said that his “priorities” had changed and that the wrestler was “busy” with other professional commitments.

On the other hand, Bengaluru Yodhas' franchise co-owner Parth Jindal was rather disrespectful to the wrestling great when he posted the following tweet.

I heard @WrestlerSushil has pulled out of the @Official_PWL - is that how scared you are of @BengaluruYodhas Narsingh, man up Sushil -fight

Jindal later clarified stating his remark wasn't malicious and urged Sushil to reconsider his decision.

Don't understand why media is going overboard with my statement regarding the Narsingh vs Sushil fight - it is pure banter @Official_PWL

It's a huge loss for the @Official_PWL and for @BengaluruYodhas to lose @WrestlerSushil - I urge him to reconsider - we are all in this tog

Two days after PWL's first edition ended, Sushil finally ended his silence in an interview to DNA. The 32-year-old opened up about his absence from the tournament and his equation with fellow wrestler Narsingh Yadav.

On why he is upset with PWL organizers: Have the franchise owners or league organisers ever fought or witnessed a wrestling match? Were they so smart that they came to know about me, my hobbies in one week after meeting me? Whoever was saying certain things about me, they don’t know me. You (media) know me for so long, have been around me.

On his absence from PWL: After talking to guruji (coach and father-in-law Satpal Singh) and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singhji, I went for a 21-day training programme to Georgia in order to get match fit for the league. On return, I realised that I was not 100 per cent fit. The WFI president himself told me that I should first attain full fitness before competing in the PWL. He said he wanted me fit for Rio. I had informed my federation in due course.

On Narsingh Yadav: I have fought against Narsingh Yadav many times. I had even defeated him two years back. If a wrestler is fearful of facing an opponent, then he shouldn’t think about competing in Olympics. I would have gone to the World Championships in Las Vegas but I opted out because I did not want Narsingh to suffer. I did not want to block his place. We both have mutual respect for each other. But, if the situation demands where I have to compete against him for deciding the Rio representation, I will give my 100 per cent and try to succeed,” he added.