"Sushil Kumar has done the country proud and is a role model for the youth," Singh said in a message.
The Prime Minister said Kumar has shown spirit, determination and skill in his craft to become the first Indian to win a gold at the premier international championship.
The Haryana grappler overcame Russia's Gogaev Alan 3-1 in the final to clinch the gold. Sushil was only the second Indian to win an Olympic medal when he grabbed a bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008.
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