Rajasthan Wushu champ dies in the ring at Chandigarh varsity
Father recalls journey of 21-year-old wushu player who died of cardiac arrest while competing in all India event in Mohali
4 min read
Mohit Sharma with father Ashok Sharma. (Express Photo)As Rajasthan native Ashok Sharma reached Mohali on Tuesday morning, the father of three was devastated seeing his only son Mohit’s body.
Mohit (21), while representing Rajasthan University, died on Monday evening following a cardiac arrest during a second round bout against Anand of Annamalai University in the men’s 85 kg second round in the All India Inter-University Wushu Championship held at Chandigarh University in Mohali.
The family hails from village Gorakhpura in Rajgarh tehsil in Alwar. However, for the last six years, Ashok was living away from his family to run a small grocery shop in Jaipur to support his son’s sporting dreams, but it all came crashing down for the family.
“Mohit was passionate about wushu and other martial arts and that was the reason he made me shift to Jaipur so that he could train at a local college. It was tough for me as I opened the parchun shop to support Mohit and my family including my wife Sunita and daughters, Nisha and Ritika back at the village. When Mohit was selected for Rajasthan University team, he was excited and told us that he would win a medal and make Rajasthan proud. With his loss, we have lost everything including our dreams to see him win medals,” shared an emotional Ashok while talking with The Indian Express on his way back from Mohali to Rajasthan.
The 21-year-old had earlier opted for karate and kickboxing and also competed in an international kickboxing tournament in Thailand. It was two years ago that Mohit started wushu in Jaipur and trained under local coaches at the Chaugan Stadium ground in Jaipur. The Vivek PG College, Jaipur student had won the men’s 85 kg trials conducted by Rajasthan University for the All India Inter Wushu Championships and the youngster had arrived in Mohali last week for the championships along with the Rajasthan University team.
“Mohit was passionate about martial arts and would rarely miss any training day. He would come for practice with us at the stadium ground and when I met him last week, he was excited about playing in the All India Inter University meet in Chandigarh University. Each of his friends and fellow trainees are shocked over this devastating news,” said Rajat Gupta, fellow trainee and friend of Mohit from Jaipur.
In a video recorded by the coaches for the bout review, Mohit can be seen winning the first round before being taken out of the mat by his opponent in the second round. With the referee telling the two players to come to the mat, Mohit came to the mat and charged at his opponent when the bout resumed but collapsed suddenly. The coaches then took Mohit to the local medical team present at the venue before taking him to hospital in the university before being taken to Kharar Government hospital and declared dead on arrival.
“Mohit had won the university trials earlier and was part of our team here. He won the first round but then collapsed suddenly. The doctors gave him CPR though we could not see any automated external defibrillator (AED) at the venue. Later we took him to a local hospital before taking him to Kharar government hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. It’s an unfortunate event and I urge the Rajasthan government to help the family and give a job to next of kin,” said Heera Chaudhary, head coach of Rajasthan University wushu team.
Wushu Federation of India officials were also present at the venue. “We rushed to the hall where Mohit’s bout was taking place. The tournament is being organised by Chandigarh University and the coaches took the player to the university medical venue and later to Kharar in an ambulance,” said Sudharshan Kumar, secretary, Wushu Association of Chandigarh.
None from the Chandigarh University could be contacted on the issue.
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