Milkha Singh cries in joy after Sushil's silver

Chandigarh: Legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh burst into tears after grappler Sushil Kumar won the silver medal in 66kg freestyle wrestling competition at the London Olympics on Sunday.

"I could not control my emotions. My eyes were moist and I burst into tears. I was really happy that this boy and other athletes have made our nation proud," the 'Flying Sikh' told PTI here.

Congratulating Sushil, Milkha Singh said that he had fought well and deserved to win a gold, though he was unlucky not to get it in the end.

"I was catching the action on TV. I was also following the news on news channels and could see Sushil's mother praying.

He has made everyone proud," the 82-year-old said.

"Sushil Kumar came quite close to winning gold, but it doesnt matter. He fought really hard," he added.

Singh also congratulated grappler Yogeshwar Dutt for winning a bronze and said he was happy that India won six medals this time.

Milkha Singh's son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, who is playing abroad currently, also congratulated Sushil Kumar and other medal winners for doing the nation proud with their performance.

Milkha said India should not rest on the six medals won by the athletes and immediately should start preparing for the next Olympics.

"I will first like to congratulate Sports Minister Ajay Maken and then suggest him that we should put our preparations on track right from today," he said.

"We should hire coaches on contract basis and continue with them depending on the results they produce," he added.

Meanwhile, former India wrestling coach Sib Charan Bose also congratulated wrestlers Sushil and Yogeshwar,

"Yogeshwar, who fought gallantly, has a bright future and destined to bring more medals for the country," Bose said.

"Sushil Kumar too fought bravely before losing the gold medal in the 66kg free style event," he said.

Bose had been the coach of Indian wrestling team during the 1989 SAF games held in Pakistan, 1991 World Wrestling Championships in Turkey and 1992 International Wrestling Championships in Russia.