It was carnival atmosphere at Baprola village on the outskirts of Delhi as celebrations broke out after local wrestler Sushil Kumar Sunday got a silver medal at the London Games and became the only Indian to win back-to-back individual Olympic medal.
While the silver was enough for the locals to celebrate, there was disappointment at Sushil’s residence as family members couldn’t believe that their son missed the gold medal by a whisker, losing to Japanese Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu in the final of the men’s 66kg category.
The media persons started to trickle in right from the morning and a huge crowd also gathered at the residence of Diwan Singh, Sushil’s father.
And while Diwan stood in disbelief that his son missed an Olympic gold medal that was there for taking, wild celebrations started.
The drums started beating along with fireworks. Sushil had just created history by becoming the first Indian to win back-to-back Olympic medals. Sushil added the silver to the bronze he won four years ago in Beijing.
Sushil’s mother Kamla Devi started distributing sweets, but Diwan was not impressed.
“I am really angry. I don’t know what to say. The gold medal was there for taking. I don’t know how he missed it. Sushil deserved the gold medal,” said Diwan.
But as Kamla Devi treated her husband with some sweets, the smile was back on Diwan’s face.
“I prayed to god to change the colour of his bronze into gold. There is a bit of disappointment that he didn’t win the gold, but for me silver is fine. I am proud of my son,” she said.