Haryana announces Rs.1.5 crore reward, land for Sushil

Chandigarh: 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. IANS