Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, World Chess Champion D Gukesh along with Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are to be conferred with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024. The news regarding the same was released on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Bhaker became independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics with her bronze-winning show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events in August.
In the same Games, Hamranpreet led the Indian hockey team to its second consecutive bronze medal. The 18-year-old Gukesh, on the other hand, became the youngest ever World champion while also helping the Indian team win a historic gold in the Chess. Praveen, who was crowned the T64 champion in the Paris Paralympics. The T64 classification is for athletes who have one or both legs missing below the knee and rely on a prosthetic leg for running.
“Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, Government has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons, coaches, university and entity,” the ministry said in a statement.
Additionally, the ministry announced names of players who will be honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in 2024.
Boxing saw Nitu and Saweety earning accolades for their prowess in the ring. In hockey, players like Salima Tete, Abhishek, Sanjay, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh highlighted India’s resurgence in the sport.
The para-sports categories showcased exceptional talent, with notable names like Rakesh Kumar (Para-Archery), Preeti Pal, and Jeevanji Deepthi (Para-Athletics), alongside Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan (Para-Badminton).
Shooting stars Swapnil Suresh Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, swimmer Sajan Prakash, and squash player Abhay Singh further highlighted India’s diverse sporting brilliance.
