Vinod Kumar's name was proposed for Dhyanchand award while Yashvir Singh, the longtime coach of London Olympics silver medallist Sushil Kumar and bronze medal winner Yogeshwar Dutt, was recommended for the prestigious Dronacharya award yesterday.
"It is great to see the sport getting so much of recognition. These awards will not only motivate us to work for the betterment of wrestling but will also inspire the younger generation to take up the traditional sport," Vinod Kumar said.
While it was Sushil, who was awarded the country's highest sporting honour -- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- after winning a bronze at Beijing Games four years ago, it is Yogeshwar, who has been recommended for the coveted award this time.
Narsingh Pancham Yadav, Geeta Phogat and Ravinder Kumar are the other grapplers who were last week recommended for the Arjuna award.
"It is all possible because of the efforts of our boys who put their heart and soul out at the London Olympics and various other tournaments. It is their hard work and our faith in them which has yielded the result," Vinod Kumar insisted.
"I am really thankful to the people of my country and to my federation (Wrestling Federation of India) that has shown faith in me and entrusted me with the responsibility of training the likes of Sushil and Yogeshwar," he added.
