It’s incredible how far India has come in athletics: Kurt Angle

Mumbai: Born in Pennsylvania, his career took off with an Olympic gold medal in 1996 (Atlanta) but the tough guy, straight out of a Hollywood movie poster, aimed to throw his weight in the entertainment industry. After rubbing shoulders with the likes of The Rock, The Undertaker, breaking his neck and being slammed on a surface as hard as a wooden table, Kurt Angle turned hero overnight. Today, he is busy scouting wrestling geniuses from India.

The 46-year-old, who locked many ankles in the late 90s for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), is now associated with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). The legend picked Mahabali Shera – the first Indian to grapple alongside Americans in TNA – during his last India trip.

Read: Meet Mahabali- first Indian to flex muscles alongside superstar Kurt Angle

“I like Mahabali a lot. I think he has a big future. He still has a lot to learn but he is learning quickly. I see a world champion in him. He is a good guy, has a great attitude and has learnt to work hard and do everything that it takes to get to the top,” Kurt told Deccan Chronicle in an exclusive chat, ahead of the TNA Slammiversary – an annual flagship event featuring different wrestlers from established scripts and storylines. While some are portrayed as heroes, some will be thrown in as villains and other characters to spice up the drama.

Also read: ‘In the ring, I don’t care who my opponent is, I’ll try and sledge him’

Kurt, with an enormous fan following in India, lauded the country for its rise in the sports circuit.

“India is a great country with wonderful people around. Whenever I have been there, I have enjoyed my stay. As far as the wrestlers are concerned, I feel Mahabali is going to headline for the future. When I visited India, I was told he was the cream of the club. He is the guy all young wrestlers will look up to,” added Kurt, who has had multiple injuries in his career but is still fit to knock down any opponent.

However, Kurt’s knowledge about India’s success is not limited to wrestling. He is also aware of hoopster Satnam Singh’s selection in the NBA.

“I know about it. Dallas Mavericks drafted him (Satnam). It is incredible how far India has come in athletics. They have been doing well in Olympics, and now in NBA. The first ones are always the landmark for the rest to follow,” said Kurt, who during his heydays was once hospitalised after Triple H put him through a table with his head hitting the concrete.

Keeping in mind the injuries and the nasty accidents, he said: “My journey as a professional wrestler has been very rewarding. From the day I started, I knew I was an athlete. Pro Wrestling is very critical, it takes years for wrestlers to be successful. I am proud of what I have accomplished.”

Before signing off, he mentioned that not many from the current generation can match up to the standards of the stalwarts.

“The thing is there are very few wrestlers who could get to the level of the The Rock, The Undertaker or a Stone Cold (Steve Austin).”