Sushil Kumar ready to battle Narsingh Yadav for place in Rio Olympics

Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who has won back-to-back medals in the last two Olympic Games, is one of India's biggest hopes for a gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Narsingh Yadav has already booked an Olympic quota place for India, after winning a bronze medal in the Men's 74kg Freestyle category in September during the World Championships in Las Vegas.

India's most celebrated wrestler Sushil Kumar was expected to travel to Las Vegas, but a shoulder injury prevented him from participating, which opened up the doors for Narsingh.

Though Narsingh might have helped India secure a berth for the Olympics, it does not necessarily mean he will represent India in Rio. Sushil, who is India's top wrestler, is the favourite.

Sushil has been a regular feature for India in wrestling during the last three Olympics and is gunning for his fourth straight Olympics. The wrestler's performance has been improving with each Olympics.

"This will be my fourth Olympics," The Times of India quoted Sushil as saying.

"I was a medal hope in the first one too, but I couldn't win a medal in Athens. We worked on our weaknesses and won bronze at Beijing. We further improved in London and won silver. Now I only need wishes of my supporters."

Sushil, who is aware of Narsingh and his strong claim for an Olympic spot, believes that the best wrsetler has to represent India. Sushil is pretty confident regarding his fitness and form.

"The truth is, the best man will go to Rio," Sushil said. "There is no pressure on me at all. Whoever is the best among us, will go to Rio."

"Even if we have to fight a trial match for selection, I have no pressure of it," added Sushil.

Irrespective of the wrestler – Sushil or Narsingh – who heads over to Rio for the quadrennial event, India will have a great shout for a medal. Apart from Sushil's medal-winning performances in Beijing and London Olympics, Sushil has an impressive resume with gold medals in the 2010 (66kg) and 2014 (74 kg) Commonwealth Games in Delhi and Glasgow respectively.

Narsingh has also been gradually earning a good name in wrestling after his 2010 Commonwealth Games performance, where he won a gold medal for India in the 74 kg category. Apart from that, Narsingh won a bronze medal in 2014 Incheon Asian Games and 2015 Asian Championships in Doha.