With wrestling being shortlisted for the Summer Games, India's double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar is confident that his sport will be able to make the cut for the 2020 Olympics.
"It is great news for Indian wrestling. I am confident that wrestling will be included in 2020. In comparison to our competition, we are way ahead," Sushil Kumar told IANS.
The executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Wednesday recommended baseball, squash and wrestling for possible inclusion in the Olympic programme for the 2020 Games.
The decision was taken at an IOC meet in St. Petersburg, Russia. The final vote on the one available spot for the 2020 edition will be held at the full IOC session in Buenos Aires in September.
The IOC's decision gives wrestling a real chance of making an Olympic return after being dropped from the Olympic programme in February.
FILA made a variety of rule changes to make its case for re-inclusion in the Olympic programme and Sushil feels the wrestling governing body's efforts seem to have paid off.
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"I think a lot of pressure was generated all over the world. Most of the countries wanted to see wrestling in the Olympics," said the silver medallist at London Olympics and bronze winner at the Beijing Games.
The grappler said the development will give hope to all the budding wrestlers in India.
"I would want to tell all the youngsters to start preparing for the 2020 Olympics. Wrestling will be there," he said.