WrestlingTV Exclusive: Though my junior, Vinesh Phogat still a role model to me, says Nirmala Devi

By   - 22/04/2020

Three-years back in 2017 after sustaining a medial collateral ligament tear, Indian wrestler Nirmala Devi had lost hope for a comeback. But Vinesh Phogat’s dedication and the hunger to become the best after returning to mat post her knee injury in 2016, inspired Nirmala to give it all and eye for the Olympics. Now at 35, she is the oldest wrestler to be in the current Indian wrestling team-bound for Tokyo Olympics.
In conversation with WrestlingTV, Nirmala talks on various topics from her struggles to make comeback, current training schedule to her thoughts on the future of Indian wrestling.

WrestlingTV: Where are you currently training?

Nirmala: Currently, I am training Karnal. I live in the police quarters so I have access to mat training.

WrestlingTV: What is your schedule for a day?

Nirmala: I still follow the same routine as in the national camp. I wake up and begin my training at 6 am. The morning session is normally strength training or rope climbings and running. The evening session is mat training.

Initially, it was tough for me but then I asked the senior officials and got access to mat training. Three kids live above my quarter. They compete at the national level, so they help in sparring.

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WrestlingTV: There was a time in your career when you were not part of the time. So how difficult was it for you to make the comeback?

Nirmala: Yes, in 2017 I had sustained an MCL tear in my knee post which I took some time to make a comeback. But then I trained harder and here I am in 2020, preparing for the Olympic Qualifiers in 50kg.

Andrew Cook has shared training plan with us on WhatsApp, so it helps my job easier to train.

WrestlingTV: How difficult was it for you to give your 100% after such an injury?

Nirmala: It is tough for every wrestler to give 100% after such an injury. The trauma leaves a scar on your psyche. But then we have role models like Vinesh Phogat, who despite her injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics came back stronger.

She inspires everyone and although she is junior to me, she inspires me too.

WrestlingTV: You are currently 35 and by the time the Tokyo Games are held next year you will be 36. So how difficult do you think will it be to keep up with the young challengers like Pooja Gehlot who are bidding a chance in 50kg?

Nirmala: Age has never been an important factor for me. Since I am getting older, I believe I am getting wiser. If they train, I train harder to be at the top. One thing which I think the current 50kg crop lacks is endurance and strength. And it has a lot do to with weight and the style of training.

My usual weight has always been 52kg, which plays to my benefit. The young challengers sometimes weigh more than me, which means they will have to cut more weight before the trials. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) gives relaxation of 2kgs to a wrestler for the try-outs. Therefore, I am never worried about cutting weight. Even during the trials as compared to other wrestlers, I eat properly and don’t have to starve myself. So, all this keeps me in top form and gives me more strength.

As for Pooja Gehlot, I have never fought her. But have seen her fight. She is a good wrestler. Rest, wrestling is an unpredictable sport. Anything can happen on a given day.

WrestlingTV: One thing which is common amongst all Indian wrestlers regardless of the gender is their leg defence and groundwork. Even Bajrang Punia who is regarded by many as the best freestyle wrestler currently has said on many occasions that he is working on this flaw. What do you think is the reason for Indian wrestlers not learning leg defence early in their career?

Nirmala: I believe it is the way we start wrestling and the lack of knowledge amongst the coaches. We have always started our defence after getting our legs hooked which is wrong. But now things are changing and we have started working on it.

WrestlingTV: Why do you think that Japan and China have produced so many great women wrestlers? Where does India lack despite having a rich Indian wrestling culture?

Nirmala: Japan and China wrestlers are too good technically. Another thing is they never host any national camps. Which means anything we have to learn about their style has to be through videos or competitions.

But now, Indian women wrestlers have started covering grounds. We are closing in and will surpass them given the talent we produce.

WrestlingTV: How bright do you think is the Indian wrestling’s future?

Nirmala: The current crop is probably the best produced. But I am a little worried about the future. I come from the time when we gave importance to wrestling. But now it is not true.

Today kids, want to become great wrestlers without working hard for it. In my days we use to sleep by 10 pm and ate natural food. But today’s generation spends hours on mobile phone playing games. Even to gain the strength they will take artificial supplements. It does not last very long and therefore wrestlers like me are still fighting till date.

Wrestling (Kushti) fans can catch Live Streaming, Highlights, News, Videos, Photos, Results and Rankings on WrestlingTV

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