The ongoing World Cadet Wrestling Championships has highlighted India's strong junior contingent, which has already won six medals at the tournaments. In fact, there are still posibilities to win in four other events. One standout performer among the junior cadets was Deepak Punia, who convincingly won gold in the 85 kg category, ahead of wrestlers from countries such as Iran, United States of America (USA) and Kyrgystan. The 17-year old is also bein touted as the future superstar to replace the likes of Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt.
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An ecstatic Punia said, “The semi-final bout was the tough one against the America, I had lost to him in the Junior Championships as well, hence when I was 4-4 I was quite nervous, but I'm very happy that I finally won the gold medal. It was very disappointing to not medal at the event, but I gave my 100 % and thankfully I got the job done.”
The Haryana-based wrestler became only the third Indian to become cadet world champion, since the tournament inception in 2011. Deepak's father, a milkman by profession started taking his son to the local village akhada from the age of seven. His father said, “I was never a big sport enthusiast myself, but from a young age Deepak was substantially stronger than his peers. So I thought of taking him to the akhada, but he hasn't left the akhada ever since.”
He added, “I think he's been drinking 4 litres of milk from that age. To groom a heavyweight wrestler is not easy, but I gave him cow milk from a young age so that bulking wasn't an issue. I can assure you that he his one of the fittest now. He used to sell milk with me in the village till last year, but after his number of medals exceeded I realised I'm stopping his growth here, so he went off to Delhi. Now that I don't have a helping hand, I look after my fields and don't sell milk anymore.”
My goal is to now transition to the senior level: Deepak
Deepak is one of the few young wrestlers who has been taken under Dronacharya Awardee Satpal Singh's tutelage. A rare feat for someone this young. Deepak added, “My goal is to medal at the Olympics in 2020, I know I'm far away from that goal, but I know I will get there some day, right now I want to graduate to the senior level as soon as possible.”
Currently training in the Chattarsaal Stadium in Delhi, Deepak fondly remembers his village. He said, “The milk quality is so poor back in Delhi, I really don't understand how people drink it. Once they come to my house, they will know what it really is.” Not understanding the magnitude of his achievement, Deepak wants to solely focus on training and not get disuaded.
The former milkman is now looking to create history for India by translating this success to the senior level. He added, “Now I want to go back home and meet my father first, he has promised me good quality cow's milk, which I'm waiting to drink. He is an inspiration for me, he gave up all he had to help me become a wrestler, and there is no way I'm giving up.”
