Sushil Kumar
Sushil Kumar Solanki (born 26 May 1983) is a former Indian freestyle wrestler who competed primarily in the 66 kg weight class before moving to 74 kg later in his career.[1] He is renowned as the first Indian athlete to secure two individual Olympic medals, earning a bronze in the men's 66 kg freestyle event at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics—India's first wrestling medal since 1952—and a silver in the same category at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.[2][3] Kumar further distinguished himself by winning gold medals at three consecutive Commonwealth Games (2010, 2014, and 2018), becoming the first Indian wrestler to achieve this feat and solidifying his status as one of India's most accomplished grapplers.[4][3] Despite his sporting accolades, Kumar's legacy includes significant legal troubles; in May 2021, he was arrested in connection with the fatal assault on junior wrestler Sagar Dhankhar at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium, an incident stemming from a property dispute that escalated into violence involving Kumar and accomplices.[5][6] He was formally charged with murder under Indian Penal Code provisions in October 2022, alongside 17 others, and although granted bail by the Delhi High Court, India's Supreme Court revoked it in August 2025, citing risks of witness tampering and flight.[7][8] This case, which police linked to Kumar's alleged associations with criminal elements, effectively ended his competitive career and prompted scrutiny of his post-retirement conduct.[7]
Early Life and Background
Upbringing and Family
Sushil Kumar was born on May 26, 1983, in Baprola village near Najafgarh in South West Delhi, into a Hindu Jat family of the Solanki gotra with ancestral roots in Haryana.[9][10] His parents, Diwan Singh and Kamla Devi, raised him in a modest household where Diwan Singh worked as a driver for Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), and Kamla Devi managed the home.[11][3] The family lived in humble circumstances typical of rural Delhi outskirts, with limited resources but strong emphasis on discipline and physical activity.[12] Kumar grew up alongside his brothers, Amarjeet Solanki and Manjeet Solanki, in an environment shaped by traditional Jat values of resilience and community.[11] His father, Diwan Singh, played a key role in introducing him to wrestling, drawing from family influences and local akharas (traditional wrestling pits), while a cousin named Sandeep further encouraged his early interest in the sport.[3][13] Despite financial constraints, the family supported his training from a young age, prioritizing his potential in pehlwani-style wrestling over immediate economic needs.[14] This upbringing instilled a work ethic rooted in rural simplicity and familial dedication, setting the foundation for his athletic pursuits.[12]Entry into Wrestling
Sushil Kumar was inspired to take up wrestling by his father, Diwan Singh, a former practitioner of the sport, and his cousin Sandeep Solanki.[12][14] At the age of 14, in approximately 1997, Kumar commenced formal training in pehlwani, the traditional Indian form of wrestling conducted in earthen pits, at the akhada (wrestling gymnasium) situated in Chhatrasal Stadium, New Delhi.[15][12][14] His early coaches included Yashvir Singh and Ramphal, who guided him through the rigorous routines of mud-pit bouts emphasizing strength, endurance, and technique fundamental to pehlwani.[14][16] This foundational phase at Chhatrasal Stadium, a hub for aspiring wrestlers from modest backgrounds, involved daily sessions starting early in the morning, often incorporating running, rope climbing, and akhada drills to build the physical conditioning required for competitive freestyle wrestling.[15][17]Wrestling Career
Pre-Olympic Achievements
Sushil Kumar debuted on the senior international stage in 2003, securing a bronze medal in the 60 kg freestyle event at the Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi.[7] Later that year, he won gold in the same weight class at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships.[18] In 2005, Kumar claimed gold at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships held in Cape Town, South Africa, competing in the 66 kg freestyle category.[10] The following year, he earned a bronze medal in the 66 kg freestyle division at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.[19] At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, Kumar captured gold in the 60 kg freestyle event, marking India's first wrestling gold at the Games since 1998.[14] Kumar continued his success in 2007 with another gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in London, again in the 66 kg freestyle category.[7] These consistent performances across regional and Commonwealth-level competitions established him as a leading contender in the 60-66 kg freestyle weight classes, culminating in his selection for India's Olympic team.[3] In recognition of his early achievements, he was awarded the Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2005.[20]2008 Beijing Olympics
Sushil Kumar participated in the men's freestyle 66 kg wrestling event at the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China, from August 12 to 24.[21] In the opening round on August 20, he faced Andriy Stadnik of Ukraine, losing the bout and entering the repechage bracket due to Stadnik advancing to the final.[2] In repechage round one, Kumar defeated Doug Schwab of the United States with period scores of 4–1, 0–1, and 3–2.[2] He followed this with a victory over Albert Batyrov of Belarus in repechage round two, securing wins in the first period (1–0) and third period (7–0) after losing the second (0–4).[2] These triumphs positioned him for the bronze medal match against Leonid Spiridonov of Kazakhstan.[2] The bronze medal bout unfolded in three periods: Kumar won the first 2–1, but the second ended 0–0 with Spiridonov prevailing on a clinch tie-breaker.[2] In the decisive third period, also scoreless, Kumar executed a daring leg scissor maneuver during the clinch to secure the win, earning the bronze medal on August 20, 2008.[2] [22] This achievement marked India's first Olympic wrestling medal since Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav's bronze in 1952 and the nation's second medal overall at Beijing 2008, following Abhinav Bindra's shooting gold.[2] [23] The victory highlighted Kumar's resilience in a format where wrestlers eliminated by finalists compete for bronze via repechage.[2]2010 Breakthrough
In 2010, Sushil Kumar dominated the 66 kg freestyle wrestling category, securing gold medals across major international competitions and establishing himself as India's premier wrestler. His campaign began with victory at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in May, where he defeated South Korea's Kim Dae Sung in the final to claim the title.[24] Kumar's most significant achievement came at the World Wrestling Championships in Moscow, Russia, on September 12, when he became the first Indian to win a gold medal at this event. Competing in the 66 kg freestyle division, he overcame a series of formidable opponents, culminating in a 3–1 victory over Russia's local favorite Alan Gogaev in the final, breaking historical barriers for Indian wrestling on the global stage.[25][26] Concluding the year triumphantly at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, Kumar won gold in the 66 kg freestyle on October 10 by defeating South Africa's Heinrich Barnes 7–0 in the final, contributing to India's wrestling successes at the home event. These victories, achieved in quick succession, highlighted Kumar's technical prowess and endurance, with contemporaries noting his unbeatable form in the weight class during this period.[27][28]2012 London Olympics
Sushil Kumar participated in the men's 66 kg freestyle wrestling event at the 2012 Summer Olympics, held on 12 August 2012 at the ExCeL exhibition centre in London.[29] Facing a challenging draw that included the defending Olympic champion in his opening bout, Kumar advanced through the bracket by defeating Ramazan Şahin of Turkey 3–1 in the round of 16. He then secured a 3–1 victory over Akzhurek Tanatarov of Kazakhstan in the semifinal, earning a spot in the gold medal match.[30] In the final, Kumar faced Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu of Japan and lost by a score of 1–0 in the first period and 3–1 in the second, claiming the silver medal.[31] This performance marked him as the first Indian wrestler to win an individual Olympic silver medal and the first Indian athlete to secure two individual Olympic medals, following his bronze in 2008.[32] Kumar's achievement highlighted his technical prowess and resilience, particularly in overcoming early deficits in key matches against top-seeded opponents.[33]2014-2018 Competitions
In 2014, Sushil Kumar won the gold medal in the men's freestyle 74 kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, defeating Pakistan's Qamar Abbas by pinfall in 1 minute and 47 seconds during the final bout on July 29.[34][3] He opted out of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, prioritizing recovery and preparation for the 2016 Olympics rather than competing in the event.[35] Kumar did not secure major international medals in 2015 or at the World Wrestling Championships during this period, focusing instead on domestic training and trials amid a shift to the 74 kg weight class. In 2016, his bid for a third Olympic appearance at the Rio Games was thwarted by a selection dispute; although he had sought a trial against quota qualifier Narsingh Yadav in the 74 kg category, the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition on June 6, upholding the Wrestling Federation of India's decision and barring him from the Olympics.[36] From 2017 to early 2018, Kumar's international schedule remained limited, with emphasis on national championships where he dominated opponents via walkovers or quick victories, reflecting his status but also reduced competitive exposure. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, he claimed his third consecutive gold in the men's freestyle 74 kg event on April 12, pinning South Africa's Johannes Botha in under two minutes to defeat him 11-0. However, at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kumar exited early, losing 3-5 to Bahrain's Adam Batirov in the 74 kg qualification round on August 19, ending his medal hopes.[4][37]Post-2018 Developments
Following his early exit from the 2018 Asian Games, where he lost his opening bout in the 74 kg category, Sushil Kumar expressed determination to extend his career, citing insufficient competitive exposure as a factor in his inconsistent performances.[38] In September 2019, he acknowledged competing in only seven events between the 2012 London Olympics and the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, and pledged to increase his match frequency to regain form for events like the Tokyo Olympics.[39] However, he failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games after losing selection trials to younger wrestlers, marking the effective end of his international competitive phase.[7] Kumar's post-competitive life took a dramatic turn in May 2021 amid a brawl at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, his longtime training venue. The altercation, reportedly triggered by a property dispute involving Dhankhar's family and Kumar's associates, involved Kumar and several accomplices allegedly assaulting 23-year-old junior national champion Sagar Dhankhar, who died from his injuries on May 5, 2021.[5] Delhi Police charged Kumar with murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, along with kidnapping and criminal conspiracy, based on eyewitness accounts and medical evidence indicating Dhankhar suffered severe head trauma and internal bleeding from the beating.[6] Kumar evaded arrest for over two weeks before being apprehended on May 23, 2021, in Delhi.[40] He was remanded to judicial custody on June 2, 2021, and suspended from his position as a deputy superintendent with Indian Railways.[41] The Wrestling Federation of India imposed an indefinite suspension, halting any potential return to the mat. In March 2025, the Delhi High Court granted him regular bail, citing prolonged detention without trial conclusion, but the Supreme Court revoked it on August 12, 2025, due to concerns over witness intimidation risks and the gravity of the charges.[42] As of October 2025, the trial remains ongoing, with Kumar in custody, effectively concluding his public athletic pursuits.[41]Competition Record
Olympic Performances
Sushil Kumar made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games in the men's freestyle 60 kg event, where he was eliminated in the first round after losing 3–7 to Andriy Istichenko of Ukraine.[43] At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, competing in the men's freestyle 66 kg category, Kumar advanced to the bronze medal match following a quarterfinal loss to Ramazan Şahin of Turkey by a score of 5–8; he secured the bronze medal in the repechage by defeating Leonid Spiridonov of Kazakhstan 8–4 on August 20, 2008, marking India's first wrestling medal since 1952.[2][3] In the 2012 London Olympics, also in the men's freestyle 66 kg division, Kumar progressed through the bracket with victories including a 3–1 win over Ramazan Şahin in the quarterfinals and a 3–1 semifinal triumph over Akzhurek Tanatarov of Kazakhstan, before losing the gold medal final to Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu of Japan 1–3 on August 11, 2012, to claim silver and become the first Indian wrestler to win two Olympic medals.[32][3] Kumar did not qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics amid selection disputes and did not participate in subsequent Games.[18]| Olympics | Event | Result | Key Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Athens | Freestyle 60 kg | First round exit | Lost 3–7 to Andriy Istichenko (UKR)[43] |
| 2008 Beijing | Freestyle 66 kg | Bronze | Bronze repechage: Def. Leonid Spiridonov (KAZ) 8–4; Quarterfinal loss to Ramazan Şahin (TUR) 5–8[2] |
| 2012 London | Freestyle 66 kg | Silver | Final loss to Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu (JPN) 1–3; Semifinal def. Akzhurek Tanatarov (KAZ) 3–1; Quarterfinal def. Ramazan Şahin (TUR) 3–1[32] |
World Championships
Sushil Kumar secured India's first-ever gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships in 2010, competing in the men's freestyle 66 kg category in Moscow, Russia.[25] On September 12, 2010, he defeated local favorite Alan Gogaev of Russia 3-1 in the final, overcoming a challenging bout in front of a hostile crowd to clinch the title.[44][45] This achievement highlighted Kumar's technical prowess and resilience, establishing him as a pioneer for Indian wrestling on the global stage.[25] Kumar's path to the gold included dominant performances in earlier rounds, showcasing his defensive skills and strategic takedowns against international competitors.[45] The victory not only elevated his personal legacy but also spurred increased investment and participation in wrestling across India.[25] In subsequent years, Kumar continued to compete at the World Championships, though without replicating the 2010 success. At the 2019 edition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, he entered the 74 kg category but suffered an early exit, squandering a five-point lead to lose his opening-round match.[46]Commonwealth and Asian Games
Sushil Kumar secured gold medals in the men's freestyle wrestling at three consecutive Commonwealth Games, establishing himself as a dominant figure in the event. At the 2010 Delhi Games, he won gold in the 66 kg category by defeating Heinrich Barnes of South Africa 7–0 in the final on October 10.[47] In 2014 at Glasgow, competing in the 74 kg division after a weight class shift, he claimed gold by overcoming Qais Ashfaq of Pakistan in the final.[7] Kumar completed a hat-trick in 2018 at Gold Coast, defeating Johannes Botha of South Africa in the 74 kg final on April 12 to become the first Indian wrestler to win three Commonwealth Games golds.[4][48] In contrast, Kumar's Asian Games record featured only one medal: bronze in the 66 kg freestyle category at the 2006 Doha edition, where he defeated Mohamed Al-Qubaisi of the United Arab Emirates in the bronze medal bout.[47] He withdrew from the 2010 Guangzhou Games due to injury and suffered a first-round defeat to Adam Batirov of Bahrain in the 74 kg event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, ending his medal hopes.[14][49]| Year | Games | Medal | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Asian Games (Doha) | Bronze | Men's freestyle 66 kg |
| 2010 | Commonwealth Games (Delhi) | Gold | Men's freestyle 66 kg |
| 2014 | Commonwealth Games (Glasgow) | Gold | Men's freestyle 74 kg |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast) | Gold | Men's freestyle 74 kg |