Lohegaon, Pune – A humble, unplanned settlement in Pune. Across muddy paths, a 17-year-old boy returns to his makeshift home, the Indian tricolour draped proudly across his chest. In his hand gleams a golden medal. This is the story of Sunny Phulmal, who recently brought home gold from the Asian Youth Wrestling Championship held in Bahrain, earning him the title of Pune’s “wondrous talent.”
Competing in the 60kg category, Sunny’s journey to the top was far from easy. A video capturing his living conditions has gone viral. His home is temporary, constructed from bamboo and tarpaulin. There are no walls, no proper flooring—just plastic sheets spread across the ground. His mother cooks in the same shelter where they sleep. Surrounding them, tall buildings rise, some still under construction. Much like these structures being built floor by floor, Sunny has painstakingly constructed his path to success from these humble beginnings.
Fifteen years ago, Sunny’s family moved from Asthi in the Beed district of Maharashtra to Pune. With the landowner’s permission, they settled here and eked out a living. Sunny’s father travels from village to village with a Nandi bull, predicting people’s fortunes. His mother sells household items by the roadside, and Sunny has a younger brother, Suraj. From this modest, four-member household shines the light that guided Sunny to his golden achievement.
Despite adversity, wrestling flows in Sunny’s veins. He recalls, “My grandfather was also a wrestler. My father trained me and my brother in wrestling. Later, I went to a camp where Sandeep Bhondve noticed me. He became my childhood coach, and under his guidance, my training began. For five years, he covered all expenses—from the gym to my diet, nothing was spared.” Sunny has also trained under Vhastad Somnath Moje and Sadashiv Rakhepasar in Lohegaon’s Raiba Talmit.
Now a tenth-grade student, Sunny dreams of stepping onto the Olympic mat, aiming to wave the Indian flag on the world’s grandest stage. Suraj adds, “We live in a hut with no walls, but our grandfather’s courage gives us strength. We hope the government will take notice.”
The family believes that just as Sunny raised the tricolour on the podium in Bahrain, one day his talent will shine on the “Greatest Show on Earth” as well.