Haryana announces Rs.1.5 crore reward, land for Sushil

Chandigarh, Aug 12 (IANS) Despite the wrestler being from Delhi's Najafgarh, the Haryana government Sunday announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 crore along with land for Sushil Kumar for winning a silver medal in the London Olympics.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda congratulated Sushil for his feat and announced to give him a reward of Rs 1.5 crore in cash and a piece of land to set up a wrestling academy in Sonipat district.

Sushil Kumar has done the nation proud, he said.

Sushil Kumar Sunday became the first individual athlete from India to win back-to-back medals at the Olympics after settling for silver in the men's 66kg freestyle event, ending the country's campaign in London Games with the best ever haul of six medals.

Sushil Kumar ran out of steam against Japan's Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu, losing 1-3 in what was his fourth fight of the day.

The silver here meant an improvement from his Beijing show four years ago when his bronze medal increased wrestling's popularity in India by leaps and bounds and overnight made him a star.

Yogeshwar Dutt, a wrestler from Haryana's Sonipat district, had won a bronze medal in wrestling Saturday. The Haryana government announced a reward of Rs one crore for him for his achievement.