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Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 12
Life was not a bed of roses for Gurpreet Singh, but the boy from the Zirakpur-based Gulzar Wrestling Akhara did not lose hope and grappled with destiny to carve out a place for himself in a sport that is not so popular in the country —the Greco-Roman wrestling.
His hard work was finally rewarded when he was selected to represent the country in the upcoming Asian Games. The grappler from Mohali will contest in the 77kg weight category at Jakarta.
“A sportsman’s life is not easy. From coaching to diet, it is a constant struggle. Even today, I have to take care of many things. I am happy with my selection, and hopefully I will bring a medal for the country in Jakarta,” said 24-year-old Gurpreet, who is currently training at the SAI centre in Sonepat.
Gurpreet was initiated to the sport by his father Harbhajan Singh at the age of eight. “After he turned eight, I used to take him to Dara Studio for coaching. A few years later, I made took him to Zirakpur akhara. The factory where I was working was shut in 2001, it was a difficult time…It took me sometime to establish the transport business, but there were people who helped my son and it is with their blessings he has been able to make it to the Indian team,” said Harbhajan.
While the family was facing a financial crunch, it was the owner of the Sector 34-based Himachal Sweets who saw the spark in young Gurpreet and took care of his diet.
Notably, he still provides him with milk, almond mixture, chesses and other essential diet material free of cost.
“I started going to the Zirakpur akhara at the age of 10. This achievement could not have been possible without my guru RS Kundu. The owner of the Sector 24 based sweet shop is the other person whom I owe this success,” said the two-time Commonwealth Wrestling Championship gold medallist. The DAV College alumnus, who is now working with the Punjab Armed Police, also represented the city in the nationals and at inter-university level for four years.
Hardeep: A keen learner
Gurpreet, though, is not the only one from the Gulzar Wrestling Akhara to make it to the India camp. Hardeep Singh, who earlier represented India in 2016 Rio Olympics, has also booked a ticket to Jakarta. The 28-year-old will be competing in the Greco-Roman 97kg category.
Hardeep was 14 when he joined the akhara in Zirakpur. A keen learner of the sport, Hardeep made rapid strides and got a job in the Indian Railways soon after completing his graduation.
“When it comes to wrestling, there is no day or night for him. He played in more than 30 championships for Punjab and had a podium finish in majority of them,” recalled Ram Niwas, Hardeep’s uncle. “I still practice at Zirakpur, whenever I get time,” said Hardeep, who wishes to bring a medal for the country in Jakarta.
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