New Delhi: Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar feels the massive reprieve to wrestling will motivate the Indian grapplers in the upcoming World Championships and they will return from Budapest with more medals.
"I spoke to the wrestlers there (Budapest) yesterday and they are very ecstatic. The mood in Budapest is very celebratory as all top wrestlers have reached the venue," Sushil said on Tuesday.
"I am sure the recent decision will boost the confidence of our wrestlers and motivate them to give their best and win medals at the world event."
The senior Indian team is currently training at a camp in Hungary ahead of the championships starting September 16.
The 66kg wrestler will be flying off to Budapest this week for the event but remains unsure of his participation.
"My participation in the event will be ascertained after I reach there (Budapest)," he said.
Contrary to the perception that wrestling was not a spectator-friendly sport, Sushil said wrestling never lacked viewer's attention and credited FILA for bouncing back after they were caught napping by the IOC.
"If you had seen matches at the London Olympics the stadiums were packed. Wrestling has always been viewer-friendly. Wrestling was dropped due to laxity of the international body (FILA). It is good that they realised their mistake and rectified it," Sushil said.
"FILA deserves a huge compliment. The way it reacted after the shocking news in February is very heartening."
The voting at the 125th IOC session ensured that wrestling will be there in the 2020 games, to be hosted by the Japanese city of Tokyo, as well as in the 2024 Games.
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