Sushil heading to Georgia for Asiad tune-up

Eager to fetch an Asian Games Gold on his comeback to competitive wrestling after a long hiatus, star freestyle grappler Sushil Kumar will head to Georgia for a ten-day tune-up ahead of the continental showpiece.

He will return to Delhi before leaving for Indonesia which is hosting the Games.

"I have returned to wrestling after four years at the Commonwealth Games (in Gold Coast, Australia where he won the Gold in 74kg).

“I am in form now. I will be going to Georgia for ten days on the recommendation of the (wrestling) federation (WFI). Preparation has been going on very well," said the London Olympic Games 66kg Silver medallist here on Wednesday.

"I have been World and Asian champion but not in the Asian Games. "Jabarbast tapasya mein laga hua hoon" (I am working very hard to achieve it)," remarked the ace grappler from Delhi who had bagged a Bronze medal in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

The 35-year-old former world 66kg champion will contest in the 74 kg class at the Asian Games, after missing the last two continental Games at Guangzhou and Incheon.

In the Beijing Olympic Games of 2008 Sushil Kumar won the Bronze medal in the 66kg weight category, only the second Indian to do so in 56 years.

Refuting reports to the contrary Sushil said his training schedule in Georgia was known to all.

"My training schedule is known to everyone, including what type of training I do.

“One day it's weight training and another day it's full of fights (bouts)," said Sushil.

"Sparring partners of different types are available (when he trains in Georgia). Competition is also tight as wrestlers from countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey come over and train," he elaborated.

He conceded that returning to competitions was not an easy task in a sport like wrestling.