Indian-origin wrestler in Australian Olympic squad

Melbourne, June 16 (PTI) An Indian origin wrestler, who
failed to make it to the national squad, is all set to don the
Australian colour in the Beijing Olympics.

25-year-old Sandeep Kumar, who drives a taxi in the city,
will be part of Australia's four-member wrestling team in the
world's biggest sports event starting on August 8, The Age
daily has reported.

"The Olympics was always my dream," he said. "This is my
chance at the very highest level and I must do the best I
can," said Kumar hoping for a gold medal in the mega event.

Son of a farmer, Kumar, who was given fast-tracked
citizenship in 2004 on account of his sporting prowess,
started wrestling as a teenager. As a fine athlete, he was
selected for Indian youth teams.

However, because of what his coach and mentor Kuldip
Singh Bassi described as "favouritism", he could not break
into the national team. Bassi, impressed by the youngster's
talent, helped him migrate to Australia.

"As a wrestler he has a strong heart," said Bassi, who
runs a small wrestling camp here.

"He is not scared, he does not get nervous. As soon as
he hits the mat he is go, go, go," he added

According to the report, Australia's local sports
governing bodies suffer through poor-funding due to a low
following of the game.

However, Kumar, whose world rank is 13th in 84-kilogram
class, plans to finally give up taxi driving this week to
concentrate on training following the financial assistance
from the small 30-member local Punjabi community to meet his
basic requirements.

"It's hard to believe, I know," Bassi said adding "But
this is how we must do things. It is the only way."

Only three Australians have won Olympic wrestling medals
and none of them were gold. The last was in 1948.