Wrestling star Ravi Dhaiya reveals, ‘I am big fan of Akshay Kumar, watching his movies in lockdown’

The novel coronavirus has brought life to a standstill across the world. The athletes too, with tournaments and training cancelled, are bound to their homes just like the rest of us. But while they are away from their sport, they are making it up by catching up on their favourite things like watching movies, reading books, to following their favourite actors via social media. One such athlete is India’s rising star Ravi Kumar Dahiya.

He is currently under quarantine at his boyhood academy- the Chhatrasal Akhara, New Delhi. Already qualified for the Tokyo Games due to his 2019 World Championship performance in 57kg, the grappler is relaxed and is making the most of this time. In a conversation with WrestlingTV he shared how he is spending his spare time, and his favourite things ranging from movies, actors, food to sports beside wrestling.

Ravi:  We train a little to keep ourselves fit. In spare time we play games on mobile, do pranks with each other and catching up on a little sleep.

Ravi: I like Akshay Kumar. He is really good and we all at the akhara love him. I watch his movies whenever I get time. Really love the way he keeps himself fit.

Ravi: I do not know a lot of actress in Bollywood. But I have seen a couple of Deepika Padukone movies.

WrestlingTV: Which is your favourite movie?

Ravi: I like Aamir Khan starrer ‘3 Idiots’. It is a very funny movie. Cannot stop laughing whenever I watch it.

Ravi: Nothing special in particular. I am a very simple man and just love Roti (Chappati) and Dal.

Ravi: I play basketball here at the Chhatrasal stadium and even at the SAI Center. It is a very fun game. Me, Bajrang everybody loves this sport. It gets us warmed up easily.

WrestlingTV: Who is your favourite wrestler in India and globally?

Ravi: In India, everybody has just one idol in wrestling, Sushil ‘Pehalwanji’ Kumar (Wrestler). Everybody dreams of emulating his medal-winning performance at the Olympics. In the world, I like Iran’s, Hassan Yazdani.

WrestlingTV: Which is your favourite move in wrestling?

Ravi: I love it when I can execute the ‘Kalarjang’ (takedown). I have practised it many times and it feels good when I can execute it during the match.