I'm not out there to prove anything, asserts Sushil

Celebrated Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar, whose defeat in a tune-up event raised doubts about his form ahead of the Asian Games, today asserted that he is "far from finished" and is not out there to prove anything.

India's only double Olympic medallist lost his first bout in four years, at the Tbilisi Grannd Prix in Georgia last month.

Asked about the defeat and he dismissed it nonchalantly.

"So what. There will be defeats and victories in sportsman's life. Real athlete is the one who stands up after defeat, prepares harder and come back. Real athlete is one who takes the mat after winning also. I am trying to do the same," Sushil told PTI in an exclusive chat after a training session.

"I have prepared well for the Asian Games but I am not out there to prove anything. Proving yourself is not sportsmanship," Sushil, who will compete in the 74kg category in Jakarta, said.

Unnamed Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officials recently told the media that they were concerned about Sushil's form and promised not to exempt anyone from trials in future. They had even put two wrestlers on standby if Sushil was to opt out at the last minute.

"These things happen," he said, preferring not to react harshly.

But he added: "People love me and wish well for me. People react sometimes. Why I have done well in my life is because I am a positive person. My coach and fellow teammates, they are all good and fill me with positive thoughts."
"That's how I have trained all these years. I fix a period for myself and then follow it."