Wrestler Sushil Kumar wins bronze medal at Beijing Olympics

Beijing, Aug 20 (ANI): Wrestler Sushil Kumar on Wednesday brought further international glory to India by winning the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics after 56 years.

He won the medal in the men's 66 kilograms freestyle category, defeating Leonid Speiridonov of Kazakhistan.

Khashaba Jadhav of Karad, Maharashtra, was the last Indian wrestler to win an individual bronze in the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

Though Sushil Kumar went down in the opening round against a dominant Ukrainian Andriy Stadnik, he won the bronze medal on technical points.

Earlier, Sushil Kumar was pegged down 3-8 on technical points.

In recognition of his achievement, the Railways announced an award of Rs.55 lakh plus a promotion. The Government of Delhi, the city from where Kumar hails, announced an award of Rs.50 lakh. The Central Government announced an award of Rs.25 lakh, while the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs announced a reward amount of Rs.20 lakh. The Government of Haryana announced an award of Rs.25 lakh.

This is India's second medal in the on going Olympics after shooter Abhinav Bindra's individual Gold medal in a 10 metre rifle shoot. (ANI)