Sushil Kumar recommended for Padma Bhushan, coach Yashvir Singh for Padma Shri

New Delhi: Star Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar's name has been recommended for the coveted Padma Bhushan award by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Apart from proposing the two-time Olympic medalist's name, WFI has also recommended the names of Sushil’s coach Yashvir Singh and female wrestler Alka Tomar to the Sports Ministry for Padma Shri awards.

All three names were recommended earlier last month for the honour," WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar said.

Earlier, Sushil's name was recommended for the honour two years ago but was rejected.

Sushil is the only Indian athlete to have won two individual Olympic medals -- a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Games and a silver in the 2012 London Games.

Already bestowed with the Khel Ratna award -- the country's highest sporting honour -- Sushil is also a World Championships gold-medallist, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold-medallist, four-time Commonwealth champion.

The 33-year-old star grappler, however, missed out on Rio Olympics as Narsingh Yadav was sent for the Games to represent India in men's 74kg freestyle category.

Narsingh, who ultimately could not take part at the Rio Games after failing a dope test, was picked by the WFI ahead of Sushil on the basis of him bagging the 74kg Olympic quota berth with a World Championships bronze last year.

Sushil's demands for a trial in 74kg category to select who would represent India at the Rio Games were rejected by both WFI as well as the Delhi High Court after a lengthy legal battle.

15-time world billiards and snooker champion Pankaj Advani's name also features in the list forwarded for the Padma Bhushan. 

Jitu Rai, who was recently conferred with the Khel Ratna, and ace table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal too have been recommended for the Padma Shri.

(With PTI inputs)