Mamata Banerjee announces an award of Rs.10 lakh for wrestler Sushil Kumar

NEW DELHI - Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced an award of Rs. lakh to wrestler Sushil Kumar after he won a gold medal at the World Wrestling Championship in Moscow.

Congratulating Kumar on becoming world champion, Banerjee said it was his spirit, drive and dedication that lead to personal achievement and national glory.

Complimenting him for meeting the spectacular challenge with determination, strength and total confidence, Banerjee added “His victory is a victory for the ‘Rail Parivar’ and dedicated to the Nation.”

Kumar is posted as an Assistant Commercial Manager with Northern Railway. He is the third railway employee to have a podium finish at the World Wrestling Championship.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kumar made history by becoming the first Indian to win a world wrestling championship gold medal when he overpowered home favourite Alan Gogaev to win the 66kg freestyle title in Moscow on Sunday.

The exciting 3-1 victory in the title-bout also made Sushil the first Indian grappler to bag Olympic and World championship medals.

He already has under his belt the Asian and Commonwealth titles. (ANI)