The wrestler and reality television star - he appeared on Survivor India and finished in fourth place in Bigg Boss last year - was officially nominated to the position and will now work to promote his sport in the nation.

"Today whatever I am is because of wrestling," Singh,named as the World's Best Professional Wrestler by World Wrestling Professionals (WWP) in 2012, said.

"Wrestling is my life and I want to promote this sport worldwide.

"I request all families to encourage their children to take up wrestling as a sport to begin with and get trained at wrestling centres all over India.

"I would also request sponsors to adopt wrestlers who come from humble families and support their dream of playing internationally.

"Wrestling is a very powerful sport but it needs support from various financial bodies.

"Wrestlers somehow are the most humble individuals.

"Please support wrestling; it's our oldest game which has given so much respect to India worldwide."

Independent India's first individual Olympic medal came in freestyle wrestling when Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav claimed bronze at Helsinki 1952.

More recently, Sushil Kumar took gold in the 66kg freestyle at the 2010 International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) World Wrestling Championships before securing silver at the London 2012 Olympics, and Yogeshwar Dutt took bronze in the 60kg freestyle at the same Games.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (right) said Sangram Singh is the "perfect" WFI brand ambassador ©WFI


Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President of the WFI, said Singh is the perfect ambassador to build on that success as the nation's athletes prepare for Rio 2016.

"Sangram is perfect for this as he became a wrestler in spite of having arthritis in childhood," he said.

"He has set an example for all new wrestlers that with determination we can achieve anything.

"He is a well spoken guy and now post his recent fame everybody loves him from children to elders.

"It's our pleasure that he is associated with us for promoting wrestling.

"For me all wrestlers are like soldiers of our country who should be applauded."

The President added he is now working on a marketing strategy with Singh to promote Indian wrestling worldwide.

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