Dangal-inspired Cook wants India to achieve global dominance

Inspired by the 'Dangal' movie, Andrew Cook landed in India with a "scientific edge" to transform the country into a wrestling powerhouse and the American coach is confident of making it a reality.

After a 'slow start' due to the language barrier, Cook says he has made considerable progress in building a strong relationship with the Indian women grapplers.

Cook found India's style different from the USA but he is in no hurry to turn everything upside down.

India's foreign woman coach believes that adopting a new style is like learning a musical instrument, which initially does not sound interesting and perfect.

"Things are different here from the USA. What I teach is a much different style than what they have been doing for their lives. It's a big change. I am not trying to change everything overnight," Cook told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"Just the key points to start with. As we move on, they will understand my philosophy. I want us to beat the USA, China, Japan. I want us to win every tournament, every match."
"We focus on how to win from smart positions. Here they go two hours, practising certain techniques."
Is it not ideal, what Indians practice?
"I won't say it is ideal or not but what I do is that I bring a scientific edge to what they do. Like, how to peak closer to events. Not that they don't do it already, but I can help them even more. What the girls did in Spain and Turkey is just a sample of what is coming."
"It inspired the world. This movie is a big deal. It shows women's wrestling's struggle across the world. One day we got a message in our WhatsApp group that India is looking for a foreign coach and I thought this is the time to be in India."
So how has been the journey so far?
"I wasn't even sure if I am going to like the food. But I am sleeping well, no stress. It's been great. Just that life is slower than the USA."
"The Indian way is super effective. The girls were already in top-10 before I came. We are figuring out a different style. It's a bit passive here. I want them to take one or two chances and finish the matches, instead of scoring points and then hold off."
"More eyes, the better. I am just adding to the game plan, working with their coaches. Every week we have a plan."
"Out of 100 girls, there are no crappy ones. No one is weak but the older seniors, their bodies have broken down, they have slowed down."
"We need more tournaments, more camps. We can add two more (foreign) training trips. Maybe get a World training camp in India with 8-10 countries participating, right after the Pro League."
"We will have a legitimate shot in all six weights classes, no doubt about it. Do I think, it's 100 per cent realistic, 'No'. It has never happened. Do I think it can happen?, 'Oh yes, absolutely'."
So what will make him content?