Amandeep Singh, the first Sikh Wushu player, who hails from Gujrat has seen many ups & downs in sports, but as you would have heard
“when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”-same is the case with this adirable Wushu player, whose story will surely make your day and maybe motivate you for the better tomorrow.He initially got interested in boxing but soon after becoming the district champion, he had to choose between his religion or the sport.
As, per the new guidelines of AIBA (The International Boxing Association), Amandeep was forced to shave or leave the sport but being a Sikh, his answer was quite sure of hanging up his boxing shoes.
A passion of boxing may have died that day from the Amandeep's heart but his dream of representing India and to see the tri-color on top of the world never went off.
Soon, after getting betrayed by the boxing rules, Singh got introduced to the China's national sport, "Wushu", a sport where he never had to compromise his religion's guidelines.
He went under rigorous training and became very much serious towards the sport & his hard-work paid off when Amandeep Singh made the country as the teenager after winning the Bronze Medal at the 8th International Wushu Championship held at Georgia, Russia.
Singh has been superlative in the sport with more than 35 medals hanging on his neck but his dream is not over yet. He wants to win a historical Olympic medal and World Championship gold medal & more importantly to see the tri-color going up on top of the world with national anthem playing in the background.
Sports Talk24 had a chance to meet this peerless Wushu player & with the Asian Games lined up, we talked about the Indian prospective in the sport from Amandeep Singh.
Q. Since when and how did you start playing Wushu?
I started playing Wushu in 2010 when I was in Hiramani school, for the first time I went for district Wushu championship and clinched Bronze medal in 75kg weight category.
After that I thought to start professional Wushu training, so I started my pro training with my Coach Sir Badrinath Pandey(NIS Coach). In Wushu It's been 8 years of my Successful Journey.
Q. In how many games have you participated and how many titles have you achieved under whose guidance?
I have participated in 5 sports Ie Wushu, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Powerlifting, Judo, Chessboxing etc. I played Wrestling, Weightlifting And wrestling till State level, judo till district level and chessboxing till National level.
But my Major achievements are from Wushu sport:
1. 8th international Wushu Championship (Georgia)- Bronze medal
2. Fedration Cup of India Wushu championship-Bronze Medal
3. Senior national Wushu championship(Punjab)-Participation
4.. Senior National Wushu Championship(Patna)- participation
5. All India university Games Wushu(Rohtak)-Participation
6. 1st Student Olympic national games(Aurangabad)- Silver Medal
• Awards:
1. Golden boy of Ahmedabad by regional media.
2. Sports player of the year award-winning 2014,2015,2016
3. Hall of fame Award-winning 2017
• Sports Education:
1. Certified NIS Coach Wushu(SAI)- A Grade
2. Certified State Wushu Coach
3. Certified Kickboxing Trainer
4. Certified Physical Educator
5. Certified Fitness and sport instructor
Guidance- My Coach Badri Pandey Sir( NIS Coach, National Games Judge, SGFI Judge, Former International medalist)
Q. What’s your take on the popularity of Wushu in India?
Wushu is getting popular day by day, as it has players and teams participating from Army, Airforce, CRPF, ITBP, Assam rifles, All India police, SSB, SSCB and 29 States of India.
Wushu is the only martial art in India giving medals in Asian games and World championship since 2006.
Wushu is included in priority list of Sports ministry, Govt of India.
Q. What needs to be done to improve the performances of Indian wushu players on the international stage?
Indian Wushu players should be given more and more foreign training exposures, Coaching by Chinese Wushu experts, funds by government for infrastructure, Wushu training Centres for efficient training, Upgraded Groomed Coaches etc will increase performance, which can even bring more medals at Asian games and World championship.
Q. You are not a part of This year Asian Game but who are best prospect for India at Asiad?
Medal prospect from Indian Wushu Team shall be Narendra Grewal (Former Asian games medalist), Santosh Kumar(Indian Aieforce), Sanathoi Devi(Former Asian games Medalist), Sajan Lama and Pawan Kumar(Indian Air Force).
Q. What would you consider as your ultimate achievement?
My ultimate achievement would be to win a historical Olympic medal and World Championship Gold Medal for India in Wushu Sport and to see our National flag on top of the world.
Q. Why hasnt India been successful in Taolu or Taijiquan?
India have been successful in Taolo events, India has Taolo medals in bricks games, Lusofonia games, Asian championships, South Asian games.
As Taolo is little bit technical part of Wushu sport and this sport has roots from China so it would take time to compete with other countries. Taolo is a branch of Wushu which consists Of jumps, stances, back flip, events, bear hand events, sword events and lathi events etc.
Q. Who is your Role model and Inspiration ?
My Coach Sir, Mr Badrinath Pandey(NIS Coach) and My Grand Father Subedar Rawel Singh(former Army Wrestler and boxer)
Q. What is your long time and short time future goal ?
Short term goals:
1. Medal in National Games and Senior National Wushu Championship.
2. Completing bachelor in physical education.
3. Educating ourself by doing certificate courses in sports and Fitness excellence.
4. To represent India in South Asian Games and lusofonia games.
Long term goals:
1. Represent India in Major sporting games like Asian Games, Olympic Games and Commonwealth games.
2. To see doctrate tag in front of my name.
3. To see myself and my hard work on big screen.
4. To open science based Sports academy having all renowned coaches, Nutrionist and fitness experts etc.