Indian athletes Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh have been selected to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the highest sporting honor in the country. This announcement comes alongside the nomination of Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar for the same award. The recipients will receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2025. Bhaker and Gukesh have made their mark in their respective sports, with Bhaker making history as the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics, and Gukesh becoming the youngest ever World Chess champion.
Indian Athletes Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh Honored with Prestigious Khel Ratna Award
Background
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honor, instituted in 1991 to recognize exceptional achievements in various sports disciplines. It is named after the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, who captained India to three Olympic gold medals.
Recent Recipients
On January 14, 2023, the government of India announced that Indian athletes Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh would be conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award for the year 2022.
Manu Bhaker
Manu Bhaker is a 19-year-old shooting sensation who rose to fame after winning two medals at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. She became the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics when she claimed a gold and a silver in the 10m air pistol event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Bhaker's achievements have made her a role model for young athletes and an inspiration to the nation.
D Gukesh
D Gukesh is a 16-year-old chess prodigy who has shattered several records in the game. In 2019, he became the youngest ever Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title. In 2022, Gukesh made history by winning the prestigious Chess Olympiad with the Indian team. His exceptional talent and dedication have earned him accolades from all over the world.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Major Dhyan Chand?
Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He captained the Indian team to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936.
2. What is the criteria for the Khel Ratna Award?
The Khel Ratna Award is given to athletes who have achieved extraordinary success at the national or international level. The selection criteria includes factors such as performance in major competitions, consistency, and impact on the sport.
3. How many times has the Khel Ratna Award been awarded?
As of 2023, the Khel Ratna Award has been awarded to 48 athletes from various sports disciplines.
4. Who was the first recipient of the Khel Ratna Award?
The first recipient of the Khel Ratna Award was badminton legend Prakash Padukone in 1991-92.
5. What other athletes have been nominated for the Khel Ratna Award in 2023?
Alongside Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh, Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar have been nominated for the Khel Ratna Award in 2023.
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