New Delhi: Wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh, who had won bronze medals in their respective categories, returned home in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Both were given a rousing welcome at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
Besides their family members, a host of sports administrators, thousands of fans and friends had gathered at the Airport to receive them with beating drums, garlands and banners.
Sushil Kumar won the medal in the men's 66 kilogram freestyle category, defeating Leonid Speiridonov of Kazakhistan. He became the second Indian wrestler after 56 years to bag a bronze medal. Earlier, Khashaba Jadhav of Karad, Maharashtra, had won an individual bronze in the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.
Vijender Kumar became the first-ever Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. His performance also boosted India's medal tally in Beijing Olympics to three, after shooter Abhinav Bindra won gold in 10 meter air rifle event and wrestler Sushil Kumar bagged bronze.
Today, both Sushil and Vijender are scheduled to meet Union Sports Minister M S Gill, President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Arriving by the same flight were officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), including its president Suresh Kalmadi, secretary general Randhir Singh along with members of the contingent who finished their events in the second week of the Games.
India won three medals at the Beijing Olympics, their best ever performance at the Summer Games. Earlier, in 1928, India had only won four individual medals, none of them gold, since sending their first team to the Summer Games.
Email Story
Write to the editor
Print Story