Army promotes Olympics silver medallist Vijay Kumar as Subedar Major

New Delhi, Aug 16 (ANI): London Olympic silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar's long wait for a promotion finally ended on Thursday, as the Indian Army promoted him as Subedar Major.

He earlier served as a Subedar with the 16 Dogra Regiment.

The Army has now given Rs 30 lakh and a commendation medal as a reward for Kumar's brilliant achievement.

Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh, lauded Kumar, saying he deserves to be a commissioned officer.

"We have to follow the rule position. As far as the question of Commission is concerned, the President gives it. I have said that we will make all efforts. You might have seen that he is very capable, literate and capable of becoming an officer. We will make all efforts to help him in this regard," said General Bikram Singh.

Kumar had earlier expressed his unhappiness as he had not been promoted in last six years, despite some major sporting achievements both at the national and international level. Sports Minister Ajay Maken wrote to defence minister AK Antony, requesting special consideration for a man who has done the country proud.

Kumar won India's first silver medal at the London Olympics on August 3, after finishing second at the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol with 30 out of 40 shots behind Cuba's Leuris Pupo.

He threw both hands in the air and pumped his fists, as he mounted the podium to collect India's second shooting medal of the Games.

The result, a surprise one-two made a mockery of the world rankings. Feng Ding of China was third on 27 before being eliminated after 35 shots. (ANI)