Double Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker and chess world champion D Gukesh are amongst 4 athletes finalized for Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award by the Sports Ministry on Thursday. Men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medal winner Praveen Kumar may even get the distinguished award. The Khel Ratna is the best sporting honor for sportspersons in India. The sports activities ministry additionally named 32 athletes, together with 17 para-athletes, for Arjuna awards.
Recently, there was an enormous furore after some information stories claimed that Manu’s title was lacking from the record of athletes beneficial for Khel Ratna. Manu’s father Ram Kishan and coach Jaspal Rana have been livid over the snub. However, Manu Bhaker admitted that there might need been a lapse in her half whereas submitting for the nomination.
“With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna award-I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform for my country. Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on. this matter,” Manu Bhaker wrote in a put up on X.
The 22-year-old Bhaker turned impartial India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single version of the Olympics together with her bronze-winning present within the 10m air pistol particular person and 10m air pistol blended crew occasions in August.
In the identical Games, Harmanpreet led the Indian hockey crew to its second consecutive bronze medal.
The 18-year-old Gukesh, however, turned the youngest ever World champion whereas additionally serving to the Indian crew win a historic gold within the Chess Olympiad final yr.
The fourth recipient might be para high-jumper Praveen, who was topped the T64 champion within the Paris Paralympics. The T64 classification is for athletes who’ve one or each legs lacking under the knee and depend on a prosthetic leg for working.
“The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17th January, 2025 (Friday) at 1100 hours,” the sports activities ministry mentioned in a press launch.
With PTI inputs
Topics talked about on this article
Manu Bhaker
Gukesh D
Harmanpreet Singh
