Only Beijing Olympic medallist without a Padma award against his name, star wrestler Sushil Kumar asked what more he could do to prove his mettle.

While Beijing gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra got the Padma Bhushan last year and bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh was named for Padma Shri on Monday, Sushil said it was baffling to see the government completely ignoring him.

"I am deeply hurt and pained. Would anyone care to tell me why I was not considered for one of country's highest awards?" a miffed Sushil told PTI.

"What more I need to do to prove my talent and worth to the government? I'm pained and I hope they realise it," said the grappler who won bronze in Beijing.

"It's not just a matter of an award. I want them to recognise my talent. They have sent a wrong message," an upset Sushil said.

He said recognition spurred an athlete to greater glory and he was sad to have been overlooked.

"We sportspersons play for recognition. We are playing to win such coveted awards. It gives us immense confidence and inspiration when we receive awards such as this one," he said.

Sushil said his exclusion from the list smacked of 'petty politics'.

"Politics is everywhere to be seen but one cannot do anything about it," he said.