The Indian sports community is in celebration as shooter Manu Bhaker, chess world champion D Gukesh, men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar have been selected as recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Bhaker's historic double-medal win at the Olympics, along with Harmanpreet's leadership in securing a second consecutive bronze for the Indian hockey team, were highlights of their achievements. Gukesh's victory as the youngest ever chess world champion and helping India win the gold in Chess Olympiad, and Praveen's T64 championship win in Paralympics, have also earned them the prestigious award. The award ceremony will take place on January 17, 2025, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the awardees will receive this recognition from the President of India.
Khel Ratna Award: Honoring India's Sporting Excellence
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sports honor, bestowed annually upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of sports. Established in 1991, the award is named after legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.
2024 Recipients
The 2024 Khel Ratna Award recipients are:
Background
The Khel Ratna Award is conferred upon sportspersons who have:
Since its inception, the award has been bestowed upon numerous sporting legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, P.T. Usha, and Vishwanathan Anand.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is eligible for the Khel Ratna Award?
Athletes who have represented India in international competitions and have achieved extraordinary success are eligible for the award.
2. What are the criteria for selection?
The selection committee considers factors such as individual performance, team contributions, and sportsmanship.
3. How many recipients are chosen each year?
Typically, up to five recipients are selected annually.
4. What does the award include?
Recipients receive a cash prize of INR 25 lakhs, a medal, and a certificate of honor.
5. Who presents the award?
The Khel Ratna Award is presented by the President of India at a ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
New Red Bull Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson stumbled in Q1 during the Australian Grand Prix, leaving him to start the race in 18th place. While his teammate Max Verstappen qualified third, Lawson failed to make it to Q2. The 23-year-old acknowledges that his preparations were not ideal, but ultimately takes responsibility for his costly mistake on his final flying lap. This setback highlights the competitive nature of F1 and the importance of precision during the qualifying stage.
Lando Norris claims pole position and his fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri takes second at the Australian Grand Prix. Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton struggles, placing eighth in the qualifiers and setting the stage for an exciting race. Stay tuned in with the Global Player app and LBC News for more updates on this high-speed competition.
Lando Norris secured the top spot on the starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix after a brilliant qualifying session in hot conditions. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, took second place, while world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull came in third. Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton will start in the second row, with Norris praising his team for the impressive performance but acknowledging the unpredictability of race day. This sets the stage for an exciting and potentially wet start to the 2025 F1 season.
After a disappointing qualifying session for Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix, McLaren's team principal, Andrea Stella, believes that the Italian team is actually much closer to them in terms of pace than the results showed. Despite locking out the front row with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Stella says that they cannot underestimate their rivals, as Red Bull's Max Verstappen and the Williams of Alex Albon were also faster than the two Ferraris. However, McLaren's form from last season and strong testing performances have made them the early favourite, but Stella warns that they must not undervalue their competition.
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In a thrilling final practice session at the Australian Grand Prix, Lando Norris of McLaren snags the pole position, with his teammate Oscar Piastri completing the all-McLaren front row. Max Verstappen of Red Bull takes the third spot, followed by George Russell of Williams and Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton settle for seventh and eighth positions respectively. Tune in to Radio 5 Live for live commentary (UK only) and join the conversation with #bbcf1.
Lewis Hamilton's debut for Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix did not go as planned, with the seven-time world champion qualifying in eighth place. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also struggled, qualifying just ahead of him on the fourth row. Although Hamilton has been behind Leclerc throughout the weekend, the two-tenth gap is not insurmountable. However, the Ferrari duo was still outperformed by younger drivers at Red Bull and Williams. Hamilton's new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, sought to reassure him that he had done a good job in his first qualifying session, but the gap to pole-sitter Lando Norris was larger than expected.
Japanese basketball star Yuki Kawamura and Memphis Grizzlies' point guard Ja Morant have formed a strong bond despite cultural and language barriers. Their friendship, which began on the court, has extended off the court, with Ja even giving Yuki a special nickname. While Yuki struggles with communication, the duo's chemistry on and off the court is undeniable, earning them a spot as one of the most dynamic duos in the league.
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Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton reflects on his first practice session at the Australian Grand Prix at the wheel of the new Ferrari SF-25. Despite a low-key start, the seven-time world champion gains valuable experience and learns that he will have to adapt his driving style to the unique characteristics of the car. Hamilton finishes the second session in a promising P5, just four-tenths behind teammate Charles Leclerc. The F1 world eagerly awaits the next chapter in Hamilton's first season driving for Ferrari.