Skill-wise there are no major differences when you compare the athletes, says Indian wrestler Sangram Singh

Sangram Singh also spoke about the Greco-Roman wrestling style.

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in India, with a rich history that spans various forms and regions across the Indian subcontinent. One of the earliest records of wrestling is documented in the ancient epic, the Ramayana, where Lord Hanuman is hailed as the greatest wrestler of his time.

Over the centuries, wrestling has evolved and flourished in India, taking on different forms and styles. Today, it is an Olympic sport where India has consistently earned medals since the ‘08 Beijing Olympics. This year, India has a strong wrestling contingent consisting of six athletes competing in various weight and style categories. These wrestlers are set to begin their Olympic journey on August 5th, with high hopes of securing podium positions in this age-old sport.

Khel Now had the privilege of speaking to Sangram Singh who has turned into a Pro Wrestler. Sangram is a former National champion in the Greco-Roman category. Sangram, 42, is also a motivational speaker, actor and has been an advocate for Olympic Sports. Here are the excerpts from the conversation.

On India’s poor performance in Greco-Roman wrestling over the years

In the world of wrestling, the Greco-Roman style stands out for its unique rule where competitors are prohibited from using their opponent’s lower body to score points. This restriction sets it apart from Freestyle Wrestling. Despite India’s rich wrestling tradition, success in the Greco-Roman category at the Olympics has been elusive. 

When asked about this, an expert explained, “We have started working on Greco-Roman in the last 10-12 years. It is not in our culture.”

Reflecting on his memories, Sangram Singh shared, “I still remember in Greek and Roman, in 2000, Guruvinder Singh had gone to Sydney. He was one of India’s best wrestlers and had qualified for the Olympics. Before that, one wrestler had gone. What was Greek and Roman? Greek and Roman were never considered a main sport in India. Earlier, they used to consider it an additional sport, not a proper sport.”

World view of Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling

Sangram Singh spoke about the differences between the two styles on the international stage, noting that Mediterranean wrestlers and fans particularly enjoyed Greco-Roman wrestling due to its faster pace and visual appeal.

Recounting his playing days, Sangram Singh quoted, “In the Olympics, when Greco-Roman used to wrestle, the whole hall used to get filled up in the World Championship as well. Because they used to throw outside. And in freestyle, it was slow and it would stop. So, in freestyle, it was a little empty.”

On his initiation to Greco-Roman wrestling

The heavyweight pro-wrestler reminisced about his playing days in the early 2000s and shared, “When I started Greek and Roman, I still remember, I used to play in Chhatrasal Stadium. There was a freestyle wrestler named Anil Maan in the 96kg division.”

Reflecting on his experience, Sangram Singh noted the unique challenges and dynamics of training in a style that was not widely practiced in his environment. He continued, elaborating on his introduction to the style, “So, Satpal Pehlwan told me to start playing Greek and Roman. I asked him what is that. He said it’s a game of wrestling using only upper body grip. 

“In that entire stadium, there was no Greco-Roman wrestler. I weighed 100 kg and I used to play in the 96 kg category. So I used to practice with them. I used to have a couple of players and I used to practice with them.”

On the changes between Wrestlers today and 20 years ago

Sangram Singh’s journey in amateur wrestling spanned many years, with his active career lasting until 2007. Reflecting on his experiences, he highlighted a significant evolution in the sport. “Our medical department has become professionals,” Sangram Singh noted. “The wrestlers are educated now, and many things have changed for the better.”

He reminisced about a time when the approach to wrestling was vastly different. “I still remember when the team used to go out,” Sangram recounted. “The coach and all the staff would say, ‘Bhai, 20 rupiye ki T-shirt dedo hum wahan jaake khel lenge.’ (Brother, give us a 20 rupees t-shirt, we’ll all go there) 

“(Back then )None of us knew English—not the coach, not the manager, and not even the wrestlers. Nobody knew English, nothing.”

Sangram Singh continued with a chuckle, “And I still remember, on the mat, if you had a headache, they’d give you serotonin. And if your leg broke, they’d give you serotonin.”

Where does Indian Wrestling lie in International Wrestling? 

In recent years, Indian wrestlers have made remarkable strides in the Olympics and world events. Their performances have continually improved, showcasing the growth of the sport in the country.

Sangram Singh observed this evolution closely. “I thought three boys would qualify,” he reflected. “Because I wasn’t so sure about the 96 and 97 kg category. But I was confident they would qualify for the Olympics. Unfortunately, Deepak and Sujit had a tough tournament, and Deepak’s second tournament was also challenging, so we couldn’t qualify.”

Despite these setbacks, Sangram acknowledged the progress. “But look, our wrestling standard has increased,” he said. “Last time, Ravi won the medal, but he couldn’t clear the trial. Bajrang won the medal too, so he also got into the trial. Our wrestling standard has increased—a lot.”

Sangram bats for the inclusion of Sports Psychologists 

Sangram Singh Interview has strongly advocated for the inclusion of sports psychologists in athletes’ training programs across various sports disciplines. He believes this addition could significantly boost player performance. “Look, skill-wise there are no major differences when you compare the athletes,” he said. “What sets them apart is their mental strength.”

He emphasized that India has world-class psychologists, and utilizing their expertise could lead to remarkable achievements. “If their services are rendered, we could win multiple medals in future events and aim to be among the top 10 nations when we host the 2036 Olympics in India.”

Medal prospects in Paris Olympics

Indian fans have high hopes for their wrestling team to secure medals at the ongoing Paris Olympics. When asked about his expectations, he shared, “No one is weak in the Olympics because they are the top 20 qualifiers. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses. We’re hoping that medals will come from Aman and Vinesh.”

Sangram Singh continued, “I’m saying that Ritika Hooda is a girl who can win, Disha can win, Anshu can win. So it’s not possible to pick just one favorite. Another thing is that we’re not short of gold medals this time; we’re relying on the depth of our pool. See, if the pool is strong, then our medals will come. It’s possible that we could secure 3-4 medals.”

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