[9][10] In July 2009, he received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna – India's highest honour for sportspersons.

He was trained at the akhada by Yashvir and Ramphal, later by Arjuna awardee Satpal and then at the Indian Railways camp by Gyan Singh and Rajkumar Baisla Gurjar.

[18] Kumar lost to Andriy Stadnik in the first round of the 66 kg freestyle wrestling event,[19] leaving his medal hopes hinging on the repechage.

[27][28] Kumar defeated Qamar Abbas in the 74 kg final to win the gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Kumar was born in a Jat family in Baprola village,[30][31] near Najafgarh in South West Delhi.

His father, Diwan Singh,[32] was a driver in MTNL Delhi, while his mother, Kamla Devi, is a housewife.

With minimal funds and poor training facilities for wrestling in India, even for the 2008 Olympic team, his family made sure he obtained the necessary dietary supplements by sending him tinned milk, ghee and fresh vegetables.

[10] Currently, He is in Tihar Jail, Delhi facing trial for the murder of, rival wrestler Sagar Dhankar, rioting and using a deadly weapon.

Kumar endorses brands such as Mountain Dew, Eicher tractors, and the National Egg Coordination Committee which earns him ₹10 million (US$120,000) annually.

[43] The Delhi Police arrested Sushil Kumar in connection with the murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankhar during a brawl in the Chhatrasal Stadium on 4 May 2021.

[47][48][49] After arresting Kumar, Delhi Police presented him at the Rohini District Court where he was placed in a six-day remand.

The decision was reached after arguments from both sides, and a review of evidence from the prosecution, including a video taken by an alleged accomplice of a man purported to be Kumar engaged in the attack.