Wushu fighter – Amandeep Singh talks about the sport, his journey, improvements, achievements, path to the Olympics and his future plans and much more here.

In a family full of wrestlers – Amandeep started his journey in wrestling and weightlifting at a young age. After excelling in these, he turned his interest to Wushu –a Chinese martial arts and an Olympic recognized sport. Amandeep Singh became the first fighter from Gujarat to bag a medal in the Federation Cup Wushu Championship apart from the many accolades he won. “Never Settle” seems to be his motto as he still aspires to win many more medals in the International competition. There are many stars just waiting to burst into the mainstream limelight – and one such is Amandeep as he wants to become the first Sikh Wushu fighter to represent Indian in the Olympics and he is trying to achieve this by treating Wushu like the greatest sport there is. He also believes a change has also come in the sports set-up of the country.

Here are a few excerpts from Amandeep’s Interview:

What's the worst mistake you've made on the field and how did you deal with it?

To err is human -  irrespective ofwhether we do it intentionally or un-intentionally. But I believe that mistakes are for learning and not for regretting. Sometimes I used to feel overconfident prior to my fights and that taught me a good lesson in life. So be vigilant, avoid too many mistakesbut definitely learn from them. It is useless to cry over spilt milk.

How do you balance sports and studies?

It’s very difficult to answer, but anyways, how I balance them depends on my mood and schedule. I give priority to sports either in the morning or evening depending on the timings. And technique plays a vital role on how you prepare your own strategy, plans and rules to excel in studies as well as sports.  So, I plan properly and work according to it. By following this procedure, I recently achieved 87% in the 1st semester of Raksha Shakti Police University. Managing studies, as well as sports, is something that one should be able to manage within oneself. By this, I have proved and will continue to prove that people can be the best in sports and education as well.

If you could wake up tomorrow in the body of another athlete, who would it be and what would you do?

I would like to wake up as Vijendra Singh, World Champion Boxer and the only Indian boxer to win an Olympic Medal. It would be funny and at the same, I would love to learn from his playing tactics, vision towards Sports, thoughts and his Training Exposures etc.

What is one habit that you want to break, or you have broken?

I need to mitigate my habit of over thinking or over analyzing the strategy or situation in my competitive phase.

Any pre-match, post-match rituals you follow?

I always remember the Great Saint, Warrior and Our 10th Guru Shri Guru Gobhind Singh ji and his slogan "Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh" And “Nischaykaraapni jeet karo” before entering the Arena.

One win/loss that you are very proud of?

Onewin that I would always like to talk about is when I was a newcomer to Wushu Sport at the National level, I won a medal in the Federation cup in 2014 by defeating 3 opponents. It was a very proud moment for me and my coach. And about loss - when I was part of the Gujarat state team in Senior National Wushu Championship, I gave a tough fight to my opponent who was from the Army team and was the former National champion.

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.

How will you want to be known 10 years from now?

I want to be known as the best in my sport and I would like to keep myself updated, continue my education in sports studies and hope to see a doctorate tag in front of my name. More importantly, I want to be the best version of what I am today.

In what area of your game do you think you need to improve?

I need to improve my combinations to throw counter-attacks on my opponents and some of the “throwing techniques” of wrestling and judo which are used in Wushu sport.

What are the hurdles you faced and how did you tackle them?

My own body weight was the biggest hurdle for me, but I didn’t lose my hope and reduced it with systematically planned workouts, athlete training and healthy nutritious plan etc.

The perks of being an athlete?

There are many... health becomes a way of life and we tend to live a healthier lifestyle which is very precious in today's day and age. Other perks are meeting achievers from other platforms, recognition, andrespect; my family gets respect, I also get an equal opportunity to secure a good job on my own merits and my achievements in sports.  I get to represent my state and country on various platforms. There's a lot to achieve and many perks ... sky's the limit

If you could get a tattoo, what would it be?

I would never get inked for religious reasons, but if I ever did, then it would be... “Proudly Indian” or “Being Sikh”.

Your short and long-term goals?

Short-term Goals:

I want to bring laurels to my state by winning many national sports awards such as the Arjuna award and become a role model to the younger generation to take up the sport. I also want to educate myself by doing Masters in Physical Education and other courses related to sports and fitness. Also, I want to represent India in South Asian Games and Lusofonia Games.

Long-term Goals:

I have many long-term goals a few of which are to represent India in Major International tournaments like Asian Games, Asian Championship, Olympics and Commonwealth Games etc. Also, I want to start a sports academy in Gujarat for all deserving athletes with the best facilities including infrastructure, scientific equipment, qualified coaches, sports team of physiotherapist, psychologist, sports nutritionist and special sports trainers and so on.

What’s on your bucket list?

• To travel around the whole World.

• Helicopter Ride with a partner

• To Meet the Sports Stars of the World and learn from their experiences.

• To get featured on World News as Sports Personality.

• To make my parents proud with My Name and My Work.

• To see myself and my hard work on the Big Screen.

Your plans & preparations for the Olympics?

My plans are confidential, but it would be in different phases and I will be taking foreign training exposures under renowned Coaches and I am hoping to be trained by fitness professionals. “Plans are made to chase, and I will chase my plan of achieving an Olympic medal” I want and will become the 1st Sikh Olympic Wushu fighter Representing India.

One superpower you wish you had, how would you use it?

I don't want any superpowers. I trust Waheguru ji and he knows how to use his superpowers to the best abilities. We humans only have a short vision to problems.

Who do you think is the greatest Indian athlete of all time?

• Living Legend Milkha Singh who was one of the first sportspersons to bring the nation into the international limelight with his accomplishments.
• Boxer Marry Kom, 35, mother of three, five times world boxing champion, still competing at the highest level.

One message to your opponents

Normally I would say that this wouldn't be a good idea, but here goes: “Be the best that you can be”.

Your biggest inspiration?

My Grandfather Capt. Rawel Singh (Rtd Army Boxer and Wrestler), My Dad Jaswinder Singh (Rtd. Boxer, Indian Army) and My Coach Sir Mr. Badrinath Pandey (NIS Coach and Former International Wushu Champion)

Your biggest achievements so far

1. Achieved Bronze Medal for India in 8th International Open Wushu Championship, Georgia in 2015.
2. Achieved Bronze Medal in All INDIA Chess Boxing Championship, Tamil Nadu 2016.
3. Achieved Silver Medal in First Student Olympic National Games, Aurangabad in 2014.
4. Achieved Bronze Medal in Federation Cup Championship, Hyderabad 2014.
5. Achieved Silver Medal In National Martial Art Games Held in 2017, Ujjain
6. Sports Player of the Year Award by New Samarth High School 2014.
7. Sports Player of the Year Award by R J Tiberwal Commerce College 2016.
8. Golden Boy of Ahmedabad by Sambhav Press for winning 11 Medals in a year.
9. Best Boxer Award by Chess Boxing Organisation in 2016.
10. Sports Player of the Year Award by N M Zala College (Guj Uni) in 2017.
11. Hall of Fame Award 2017 by Martial Arts Authority in Ujjain.

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