Sushil wrestles bronze, wins India's 2nd medal

Beijing: Wrestler Sushil Kumar gave India one more reason to won cheer when he won the bronze medal in the freestyle 66kg category at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.

Sushil defeated Leonid Spiridonov of Kazakhstan 3-1 in the repechage match of the men's freestyle wrestling 66kg to win India's India's first wrestling medal since the 1952 Helsinki Games.

He is only the second Indian wrestler after Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav to win an Olympic medal. Jadhav had won a bronze medal in the 1952 Games.

In the earlier rounds of repechage Sushil overcame the challenge of USA's Doug Schwab and Belarrussian Albert Batyrov in the first two repechage rounds.

Sushil had lost to Ukrainian Andriy Stadnik in his quarter-final bout.

All those who lose to the ultimate finalists take part in the repechage, which decides the two bronze medallists.

Sushil later said that there was not much pressure on him.

"Probably you may say that there was no expectation from the people back home and the media too. But me and my coach (Satpal) always knew I had a fair chance of winning a medal and I'm happy I could achieve that," Sushil said at the China Agricultural University in Beijing.

"While it is good not to have that burden of expectation on your shoulder, I think we can give even more provided we get better facilities. I want to dedicate this medal to my coach Satpal," said the current world No. 7.

As soon as the news of Sushil winning the bronze medal spread, rewards started pouring in for the wrestler.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee congratulated Sushil on winning the bronze medal.

The Haryana government announced a cash reward of Rs. 25 lakh while Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the wrestler has done the country proud by his stupendous feat. He also announced a cash reward of Rs. 25 lakh to woman shuttler Saina Nehwal who had reached the quarter-finals of the singles event in Beijing Olympics.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad announced Rs 55 lakh cash reward and also said that the wrestler will be promoted as Assistant Commercial Manager. Sushil was earlier Chief Ticket Inspector.

Union Sports Ministry also announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh.

Union Sports Minister MS Gill congratulated Sushil's medal-winning effort.

"I congratulate Sushil on his great win. His medal will encourage all wrestlers in the country and we will give them full support," Gill said.

The gold medal was won by world champion Ramazan Sahin of Turkey while Stadnik had to be contend with the silver.

Sahin, who is also the European champion, won the bout 2-2, 2-1, 2-2.

The other bronze went to Otar Tushishvili of Georgia, a semi-final loser to Sahin.

This is also the first time since 1952 that India has two Olympic medals.

Earlier, Abhinav Bindra won first-ever Olympics gold medal for the country in the 10meter air rifle event.