PM congratulates Sushil Kumar, Mamata awards Rs 10 lakh

New Delhi : While Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has congratulated Sushil Kumar on his winning a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championship in Moscow, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced an award of Rs 10 lakh for his achievement.

?Sushil Kumar has shown spirit, determination and skill in his craft. He has become the first Indian to win a gold at the premier international championship. He has done the country proud and is a role model for the youth,? Singh said in a statement.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Banerjee announced that Kumar will be awarded Rs 10 lakh, in addition to other awards admissible to him as per norms.

Congratulating Sushil Kumar for his becoming the world champion, Banerjee said that it is the spirit, drive and dedication of Sushil Kumar that has lead to personal achievement and National glory.

?His (Kumar?s) victory is a victory for the ?Rail Parivar?, dedicated to the Nation,? she said.

Kumar defeated Russian Gogaev to win the 66 kg freestyle title on Sunday, in Moscow, to become the first Indian to win a World Wrestling Championship Gold Medal. He has created history in Indian sports with this spectacular achievement in Moscow.

During this championship, he earlier defeated Akrtidas of Greece, Martin Sebastian of Germany and Buyan Jav of Mangolia in the second, third and fourth rounds. He had got a bye in the first round. In the semi-finals, Sushil Kumar defeated Hussan Javrayil of Azerbaijan.

Kumar is posted as an Assistant Commercial Manager with the Northern Railway. He is the third Railwayman to have podium finish in World Wrestling Championship.

Earlier, Railway Sportspersons who brought glory to the nation included Bishambar Singh and Ramesh Kumar who had won a silver and a bronze in the earlier World Wrestling Championships in 1967 and in 2009 respectively.