It has been two months since India’s women wrestling coach Andrew Cook returned to the US to be with his family amid coronavirus outbreak. And even though back with his kins, he sure did miss India and training and nurturing of India’s women’s wrestling future. Another thing Cook missed a lot was stepping on to the wrestling mat. While for the first problem he will have to wait until the travel restrictions are lifted, the coach has found a solution to his second issue. He has built his own akhara in the backyard but with a little twist.
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In a WhatsApp status, Cook shared pictures of his new training arena which he named ‘Kushti Cave Akhada”. The US coach also shared pictures of him training a young wrestler. Cook has been associated with India’s women wrestling since 2018. Under him, the women’s division has seen an exponential rise and the 2020 Asian Championships bears testament to it. At the continental event, India won eight medals including three gold, three bronze and two silver medals.
Cook’s contract was up until the Tokyo Olympics after which it was subject for renewal on the basis of the performance. However, with the Games now deferred, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has written to Sports Authority of India (SAI) for a contract extension for him and other foreign coaches.