Delhi government doubles cash reward to Sushil Kumar

Delhi Government on Thursday doubled the cash reward for Olympic silver medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar to Rs two crore from earlier announced Rs one crore.

The decision to hike the cash award was taken at a cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

"We have decided to present an award of Rs two crore to Sushil Kumar. He made the whole country proud and the cabinet felt we should enhance the award," Dikshit said after the meeting.

Kumar, who hails from Delhi, is the first Indian wrestler to strike silver in wrestling competitions at Olympics. Dikshit had announced an award of Rs one crore after he won the silver medal on Sunday in the 66kg freestyle wrestling event.

Kumar recorded his name in the country's sports history annals by becoming the first ever sportsperson to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals, having won a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Wrestling and shooting provided India two medals each, while women boxing and badminton added one medal each.