Greco Roman wrestler Arjun Halakurki had a quite rise away from the wrestling hubs – Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab – of India. Hailing from Karnataka, he won his first Asian Championship medal in 2020. But with the outbreak of coronavirus and nationwide lockdown, the 22-year-old returned home and is now training with his uncle. In conversation with WrestlingTV, he talks about challenges he is facing due to lockdown and his plans for the Tokyo Games.
Prizes for Tokyo Olympic will not be increased as per Georgia Prime Minister’s new decree
WrestlingTV: Are you back with your regiment?
Arjun: No. I had returned directly to my home in Bagalkot, Karnataka after the camps were suspended. There has been no intimation from my regiment yet. So, until then I am training here.
WrestlingTV: How are you practising nowadays? What are the challenges you are facing?
Arjun: I train twice a day. It is tough, to be honest, but we have to keep training for the Olympics. Right now, I lack the basic equipment’s like weights so to weight training with a partner. My uncle helps me with it. I pick him and try doing squats and other exercises
WrestlingTV: Are shops in your area open? Also, have public transport begin after May 17?
Arjun: Not yet. Everything is shut. Only one or two shops in my village are open and that is where we get all-out essential goods for the home.
WrestlingTV: How are you taking care of the diet?
Arjun: I am following the same diet which I followed at the national camp. I had brought back all the dry fruits – almonds and cashews – from the SAI centre. Sometimes, my Indian Army coach Subedar Vinayak Dalvi also helps me if I have doubts regarding my diet.