Kurt Angle: Sushil puts India on World wrestling map

TNA star Kurt Angle, who was in India recently to promote TNA wrestling was full of praise for India’s only double Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar. The former WWE superstar had never imagined an Indian grappler to finish on the podium in the Olympics. Sushil’s heroics in the Beijing Olympics, 2008, where he won the Bronze medal brought Angle’s attention to the country.

Sushil later won the Silver medal at London Games in 2012, which further cemented him as wrestling star. Angle, the only Olympic gold medalist(Gold in 1996 Atlanta Games) in the history of professional wrestling described the Indian as- “one of the best grapplers in the world at the moment”.

Superstar said- “Today is my favourite day as I am meeting Sushil Kumar. I love what he has accomplished in his career. I have a lot of respect for him. He knows what I have done, I know what he has done. It’s a mutual respect. Before 2008, I never really saw anybody who stood out from India. Then you have Sushil beating guys from United States, Iran and Russia, that speaks volume of his achievements.”

“What he has accomplished for a country like India, it’s just amazing and something that most countries like India would have considered impossible. He won the silver medal at the London Games. He created history by winning the World Championship gold medal in Moscow, Russia. This is so important for your country. Wrestling has a future in India because of guys like Sushil.”

TNA knockout chairman Gail Kim and Angle were in the country on a week-long promotional tour, wherein they interacted with fans from Mumbai, Delhi and Lucknow. Keeping in mind the huge potential of sports market in the country, Sony Six, the broadcast partner of TNA, pans 500 hours of programming each year.

Kurt further added that he wants the next star of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to be from India, while interacting with Sushil over their common favourite subject, revisiting his old days as an amateur wrestler.

The reason you see success in amateur wrestling is because of this man. I want to see a talent from India at TNA. I am excited about the impact wrestling and it will be a good exposure for your country.”

“Sushil will be a much better MMA fighter than the pro wrestler. He will have much more success there. There is a lot of money in MMA and he will surely taste success there.”

The six feet tall American wrestler said he would like to see the diminutive grappler compete in the Mixed Martial Arts and also exuded confidence that Sushil will bring gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“I believe he will win gold in Rio. The age of 30 to 34 is such when you are on peak of your body…muscular, physical and endurance. He was just a kid when he wrestled in Beijing for that bronze. He was young and just 24 at that time. For me, he was a kid. His best years are ahead of him. His body looks in great shape. He can win a gold in 2016 if he remains injury free.”

Angle however put Olympic wrestling over pro wrestling and rued over his decision to quit the amateur arena at such a young age.

“I think Olympic wrestling is way more important than pro wrestling. Olympic and pro are very different. I did not stay in wrestling for long. I was just 26 when I retired after winning the gold medal. I should have continued for a longer period. In pro wrestling, you entertain fans, you travel 300 days a year, it’s very different. Personally, I like TNA. I am more comfortable there than pro wrestling,” he said.

When asked about the masses view of Pro wrestling being scripted, Angle had the following view:

“It is (an insult if you call it fake). It is rather pre-determined. We both know who the winners are going to be. It is one of the barbaric form of athletics I have done. In that ring, we wrestle on woods like this (points to the table in front). Imagine getting slammed on that. So, we have to learn how to avoid being injured when getting slammed. Pro Wrestling is the toughest I have ever done. I broke my neck four times, broke my arms, legs. I had a great career there and I am proud of it,” he said.

Angle who was known for his technicality, quickness and smart judgement also talked about his favored submission move, ‘The Ankle Lock’, a submission maneuver first introduced by former pro wrestler Ken Shemrock .

“It depends on the situation but my favourite was Ankle Lock.”

Within a calendar year of making his WWE debut at the 1999 Survivor Series, he won the King of the Ring Tournament, the Intercontinental Title, the European Title and most importantly the WWE Championship by beating the Rock. He was also a six-time world champion (four-time WWF/E Champion, World Heavyweight Champion and WCW Champion). He also held the US Championship, Intercontinental Championship, European Championship, Hardcore Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship once each at various stages in his carrier with WWE.

He is one of three wrestlers (Edge and The Big Show being the others) to have held every currently active male championship in WWE. He was the winner of the King of the Ring tournament in 2000, the tenth Triple Crown Champion, and the fifth Grand Slam Champion.