Manu Bhaker, Gukesh to get Khel Ratna
Manu Bhaker to receive Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna after nomination confusion; Gukesh among four honorees
The prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2025 has been given to four exceptional athletes: shooter Manu Bhaker, chess prodigy D Gukesh, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar. This award is India’s highest honor for sports achievements. The announcement, made by the sports ministry, followed a week of uncertainty regarding Bhaker’s nomination.
Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medalist, made history at the Paris Olympics by winning bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events. Initially, there was confusion about her nomination for the award, which she acknowledged as a possible mistake in her submission process. Despite this, she remained focused on her commitment to representing India in future events.
D Gukesh, an 18-year-old chess prodigy, became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. He also played a crucial role in India’s victory at the Chess Olympiad last year, helping the team win a historic gold medal. His achievements have brought significant recognition to Indian chess on the global stage.
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Achievements of Harmanpreet and Praveen
Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, led the team to win its second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. His leadership and performance have been instrumental in strengthening Indian hockey.
Praveen Kumar earned the award for his remarkable achievement at the Paris Paralympics. Competing in the T64 high-jump category, which is for athletes with below-the-knee amputations using prosthetics, he secured the gold medal with a record-breaking performance.
The winners will be honored by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025. This recognition celebrates their dedication and significant contributions to Indian sports.
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