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Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 15, 2026 • 4 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth26 May 1983

Age41 Years

BirthplaceNajafgarh, Delhi

ProfessionFreestyle wrestler

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSavi Kumar

FamilySons: Suvarn and Suveer (twins)

Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) Biography

Sushil Kumar is an Indian freestyle wrestler and two-time Olympic medallist from Najafgarh, Delhi. A product of Chhatrasal Stadium and coach Mahabali Satpa

Early life and background

Sushil Kumar Solanki was born on 26 May 1983 in Najafgarh, Delhi. He grew up in Najafgarh and enrolled at Satpal Singh’s akhara in Chhatrasal Stadium when he was 13, training alongside many other young wrestlers in modest conditions. His father, Diwan Singh, and a cousin named Sandeep were early inspirations for his wrestling journey.

Kumar pursued higher education at Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut and also attended Noida College of Physical Education in Dadri. He completed both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. He follows a vegetarian diet and has campaigned for vegetarian causes.

Career

Sushil Kumar emerged on the international wrestling scene in the late 1990s, making his mark at events such as the World Cadet Games in 1998 and the Asian Wrestling Championships in 2003. Coached by Mahabali Satpal Singh, he represented India in freestyle wrestling across multiple weight categories during a career that spanned more than a decade.

His international medal record includes podium finishes at Commonwealth, Asian, World Championship and Olympic levels. At the Commonwealth level he won gold medals in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and again in 2010 and 2018 across various weight classes. Regionally he earned medals at the Asian Championships and Asian Games, including bronze at the New Delhi Asian Championships in 2003 and a bronze at Jeju Island in 2008. The peak of his career on the global stage came between 2008 and 2012: he won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and followed that with a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, making him the first athlete from independent India to win two Olympic medals.

In 2010 Kumar captured gold at the World Wrestling Championships in Moscow and also won gold at the New Delhi Asian Championships and the Delhi Commonwealth Games that year. He continued to win at the Commonwealth Games in later years, including gold in the 74 kg category at Glasgow 2014 and another Commonwealth gold at Gold Coast 2018.

Honours and recognition have followed his athletic achievements. He received the Arjuna Award in 2005, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2008, and the Padma Shri in 2011. His success also triggered a number of cash awards, promotions and offers from government bodies and sports authorities after major medals, including rewards and promotions connected with performances at the Olympics and World Championships.

Public profile

Beyond competition, Kumar has been visible as a national sports figure. He carried the Indian flag during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. He has worked for Indian Railways in the role of Assistant Commercial Manager and has been involved in charitable work through his foundation Sushil 4 Sports, which supports aspiring athletes. He appeared as a guest on television and served as a judge on the reality show Roadies in 2015.

Kumar is known for a disciplined lifestyle, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and for prioritising wrestling throughout his career. He has spoken publicly about his training and diet, including traditional elements such as white makhan during his early training days. He is a football fan and admires Lionel Messi.

Latest updates

Kumar’s life off the mat has included controversies and legal matters that received media attention. Incidents involving disputes at Chhatrasal Stadium and allegations connected to fights and assaults were reported over several years. In May 2021 a violent clash at Chhatrasal Stadium led to criminal proceedings; an FIR was filed and Kumar was arrested after being absconding for a period. He was later granted bail in March 2025 on a bond, according to statements from his lawyer.

Personal life

Sushil Kumar married Savi Kumar, a tennis player, on 18 February 2011. The couple are parents to twin sons, Suvarn and Suveer, born on 5 January 2014. His parents are Diwan Singh and Kamla Devi, and he has brothers Amarjeet Solanki, Manjeet Solanki and Vishal Singh Solanki.

Kumar remains one of India’s most decorated freestyle wrestlers, celebrated for his Olympic medals and multiple international titles while also having a complex public profile shaped by his competitive success and subsequent controversies.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Sushil Kumar (Wrestler), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Gold medal — Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)

Won gold in the 73/74 kg event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

2018
Judge — MTV Roadies (Season 2015)

Co-judged the reality TV show Roadies alongside other personalities

2015
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Career Highlights

  1. Bronze medal — 2008 Beijing Olympics (66 kg)
  2. Silver medal — 2012 London Olympics (66 kg)
  3. Gold medal — 2010 World Wrestling Championships (66 kg)
  4. Multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals (2003–2018)
  5. Arjuna Award (2005), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2008), Padma Shri (2011)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) born?

Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) was born on 26 May 1983.

What is Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) known for?

Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) is known for freestyle wrestler.

What is Sushil Kumar (Wrestler)’s marital status?

Sushil Kumar (Wrestler)'s marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) married to?

Sushil Kumar (Wrestler) is publicly listed as married to Savi Kumar.