Sachin, Sushil and the hallmark of champions

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The two are champions of their respective sports and have brought immense glory to India. While Sachin Tendulkar is the toast of the cricketing world and accorded divine status in India, Sushil Kumar has put Indian wrestling on the world map by winning two medals in two successive Olympic games (2008 and 2012).
The two sporting legends, although champions of sports as different as chalk and cheese, have a lot of similarities and these very traits have been responsible in propelling the two to greatness. 
DC Online takes a look at the similarities between these two sportspersons who have rewritten records in their chosen field of sport:
Shy, simple and down-to-earth personality: During his early days as an international cricketer, Sachin had admitted to being so shy to even raise his bat to acknowledge the applause for his knocks. A similar trait can be found in wrestler Sushil who like Sachin started creating ripples in the wrestling circuit early by winning gold at the 1998 World Cadet Games in the under-16 category.
The humble upbringing of the two champions has shaped their personality and both continue to live the same way even after achieving all the possible heights of success. While Sushil was born in a poor family unable to fulfill its basic needs, Sachin was born in a middle-class Marathi family. Sacrifices of family members from both the sporting legends have toughened the two of them to give full commitment to their sports wholeheartedly. And the results have been nothing but extraordinary.
Controversy-free image: The two sporting icons have inspired generations to take up cricket and wrestling as professional careers. Sachin has always restrained himself from getting into unwanted controversy and spoke his heart out when the spot fixing scandal in IPL threatened to destroy the integrity of the game.
Sushil, similarly, has maintained himself with poise on and off the wrestling circle as he knows one wrong step could put the sport of wrestling in jeopardy and many aspiring wrestlers in disillusionment.  
Standing up for values and integrity: Sushil Kumar once rejected a million-dollar offer to appear for a liquor brand. Asked about the reasons for rejecting the offer, Sushil was quoted as saying, "I didn’t want to be associated with a liquor brand in any form as it would send a wrong signal to the youth. The sporting tradition that I have been raised in values discipline way above money.”
And we all know how Sachin has always lived up to these values and set standards for other sportspersons to follow.
Quest for excellence: Former Indian coach Gary Kirsten had once narrated an anecdote regarding Sachin’s preparations ahead of a tour. The story goes that Sachin faces as many balls as possible in the net until he feels he’s ready for the big test. The ‘Little Master’ has admitted in an interview that he makes small goals for each tour and he feels happy when he achieves them. After 24 years of international cricket, Sachin continues to strive for excellence and shine on the big stage.
Sushil Kumar follows an equally tough regimen and never gives up until he meets his goal. He could have been satisfied with the bronze in 2008 Olympics, but the wrestler did one better by bagging silver in the next Olympics and has sets his eyes on gold in 2016 Rio Olympics. Sushil looks set to achieve this as well.