Exclusive Interview with International Wrestler Labhanshu Sharma from Rishikesh , the World Capital of Yoga

Wrestling is a tough sport where injuries are severe if you don’t perform your training correctly or while competing in a match. Whenever we think about Wrestling majorly the state of Harayana comes into our mind who have produced World Class players like Babita Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Geeta Phogat. But a Wrestler who hails from Spiritual Land Rishikesh, the World Capital of Yoga who defied all odds to pursue his dreams of representing India and winning two Gold medals in Asian International Games and Indo Nepal International Tournament under category 120 Kg held in Sri Lanka and Nepal is not less than a fairy tale. Here we are talking about International Wrestler “Labhanshu Sharma”.

He started his Wrestling carrier at the age of 14 in a Nau Shera Dangal Tournament in a Wrestling tradition that is organized every year in Delhi where he defeated 9 Wrestlers in a row to clinch the title. He was also approached for Indian popular Reality Television show “Big Boss 12” but he declined the offer. In 2017 he clinched silver medal in KD Jadhav Wrestling Tournament held in Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.  Coming from Yoga Capital of the World Rishikesh to achieving several accolades at International level is a journey to celebrate for years to come.

Recently we got an opportunity to get an insight about this great wrestler at his home town Rishikesh where we discussed his life and sporting carrier in detail where he shared amazing things about his homeland and credited all his success to all the Yogi’s who resides in this beautiful Yoga capital of the world.

He talked about the support of his parents in achieving his dreams as his father was also Wrestler in Indian army. We went to his college too in order to have an interaction with his teachers and principal and according to his teacher “Nobody would have ever imagined that someone from Rishikesh will make this big” he has made all of us proud even the students look up to him as role model.

Labhanshu wasn’t happy with the current wrestling infrastructure of Uttarakhand as there is lack of mat facilities which a professional wrestler needs but he was determined that he will overcome all the obstacles and will make his homeland Rishikesh proud one day. Our Interaction was followed at different location one such was “Marine Drive” not the one you know in Mumbai but the one from Rishikesh. His coach Pawan K Sharma talked about the potential Labhanshu had when he saw him Wrestling for the first time. Our Interaction was followed about diets, moves, Big Boss and his future plans.

Mr. Labhanshu Sharma visited the Embassy today and met Ambassador Tsewang Namgyal. He is traveling to more than 100 countries in the world by road for spreading the message of peace. He started his journey from Dehradun in Uttarakhand on August 2, 2019. pic.twitter.com/tR0zrS1Uzj

— India in Poland and Lithuania (@IndiainPoland) September 16, 2019

His contribution is not limited to the field of Wrestling but also expanded into other wings which include National Bravery Award which he received from Honourable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in 2015 for saving two young children who were getting drowned in river Ganga. He also received National Youth Icon and APJ Abdul Kalam award by former president of India late Pranab Mukherjee. If we sum up our interaction in few lines we would just like to say that despite achieving so much in life he was humble and thankful to his homeland Rishikesh, the world capital of Yoga is a story that will inspire young budding Wrestlers who want to represent India in future.