Rijiju felicitates Wushu World Championships medal winners

New Delhi : India's Wushu World Championships medal winners Praveen, Yumnam Sanathoi Devi, Poonam Khatri and Vikrant Baliyan were on Thursday felicitated by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju here.

India had won four medals -- a gold, two silver and a bronze -- in the World Championships held in Shanghai, China, last month.

Praveen, who had won a gold, was handed a cheque of Rs 20 lakh, Sanathoi and Poonam got Rs 14 lakh each for the silver they won and Vikrant received Rs 8 lakh for winning a bronze.

Debutant Praveen made history for India by becoming the first wushu player to win a gold in the men's event. He did so in the 48kg Sanda category, defeating Philippines' Russel Diaz 2-1.

An Army man, Praveen said it was his sheer determination that made him bring home the coveted gold medal.

"My Army coaches and mentors gave me the belief by motivating me and telling me constantly 'you can do it', right before the tournament," the 22-year-old said.