Not a man for diplomatic circumlocution, wrestler Sushil Kumar on Wednesday said it would have been injustice if he was denied the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award even after winning the bronze medal in Beijing Olympics.
"It would have been an injustice if I was denied the honour. Going by my performance, I felt I deserved it," Sushil told PTI after he and boxer Vijender Singh were awarded country's highest sports honour along with woman pugilist M C Mary Kom.
Sushil said considering the fact that Vijender also won a bronze in Beijing and Mary Kom is a four-time world champions, it was just that all three of them got the award in a deviation from custom.
"I am also very happy for Vijender and Mary Kom. They were deserving winners," he added.
Personally, Sushil said the honour would egg him on to achieve greater glory and he was determined to do well in this year's World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year.
"I am feeling great after winning the award, especially because it's the highest sporting award of the country.
"It's a big honour. It has made me more determined to do better in future tournaments. The award will inspire me to do well in the Commonwealth Games and World Championship," he said.