Wrestlers at traditional gyms celebrate the success of Sushil Kumar in Beijing Olympics

New Delhi, Aug 21 : Celebrations erupt in traditional gyms across the country over the success of wrestler Sushil Kumar in Beijing Olympics on Thursday.

Wrestlers at a gymnasium in the national capital celebrated his victory over Leonid Spiridonov of Kazakhstan in the men's 66kg freestyle event on Wednesday with delight.

Sushil Kumar became the second wrestler after 56 years to bag a bronze medal in Olympics.

Overwhelmed by Sushil's success, wrestlers said that this victory has brought about glory to the very profession of wrestling.

"I am very happy. He has brought about glory to the very profession of wrestling. It has increased our value in the field of sports," said Sachdev Singh, a coach. The wrestlers said that his victory would inspire many others, who have long forgotten the traditional Indian sport, to return to it.

"It is a matter of happiness for us. He has become a source of inspiration for the coming generations. And people would now increasingly take this sport which was originally a sport of the common man," said Harvinder, a wrestler.

Suhil's victory comes after Abhinav Bindra's golden success in 10m Air Rifle event at the ongoing Beijing Olympics.

ANI