Manu Bhaker, Gukesh among four honored with Khel Ratna award

Photo: X/ANI

Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar were among the prominent athletes who received the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award at the National Sports Awards ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu, and the ceremony was filled with applause and excitement as these athletes were honored for their exceptional achievements.

Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medalist in shooting, and D Gukesh, a rising star in chess, stood out for their outstanding performances in their respective sports. Bhaker made history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic Games. She earned a bronze in the 10m air pistol individual event and another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event during the Tokyo Olympics. Gukesh, at just 18 years old, made his mark by becoming the youngest world chess champion ever after defeating China’s Ding Liren last month. This made Gukesh only the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to achieve this incredible feat.

The other two athletes honored with the Khel Ratna were Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, and Praveen Kumar, a Paralympic gold medal-winning high jumper. Harmanpreet led the national team to a bronze medal in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, while Praveen, born with a short left leg, improved his Tokyo silver medal to a gold at the Paris Paralympics last year.

In addition to the Khel Ratna award, 32 athletes received the Arjuna Award, including 17 para-athletes. This is a significant achievement, as the para-athletes were given more recognition this year due to their remarkable performances at the Paris Paralympics. The Indian para-athletes returned with 29 medals, including 7 gold and 9 silver, showcasing their strength and determination.

Among the Arjuna Award recipients were wrestlers Aman Sehrawat, who won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, and players from the men’s hockey team, including Jarmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, and Abhishek. These athletes have shown outstanding dedication and hard work in their sports, making India proud on the global stage.

The National Sports Awards are given based on performances at the Olympics and World Championships, with special attention to achievements in these prestigious events. This year’s awardees have all made remarkable contributions to their sports and have set new records that inspire future generations of athletes.

Jan. 17, 2025 {{ Blogdetails.schedule_date|time }} 366

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