India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra and silver medal-winning wrestler Ravi Dahiya were picked for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award apart from nine other athletes on Wednesday.
Olympic bronze-winning pugilist Lovlina Borgohain, footballer Sunil Chhetri, cricketer Mithali Raj, hockey player PR Sreejesh were also picked for the award. Paralympic shooter Avani Lekhara was included among the five para-athletes who were nominated for the Khel Ratna award.
List of Indian athletes who have been recommended for the Khel Ratna Award:
- Neeraj Chopra (Athletics)
- Ravi Dahiya (Wrestling)
- PR Sreejesh (Hockey)
- Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing)
- Sunil Chhetri (Football)
- Mithali Raj (Cricket)
- Pramod Bhagat (Badminton)
- Sumit Antil (Javelin)
- Avani Lekhara (Shooting)
- Krishna Nagar (Badminton)
- M Narwal (Shooting)
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Besides, 35 athletes have also been recommended for the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Last year, five athletes were picked for the award, while four were selected after the 2016 Rio Games. The announcement of the national sports awards this year was delayed in order to consider the performance of the para-athletes in the Tokyo Paralympics, which lasted from August 24 to September 5.
Previously known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently renamed India’s highest sporting honour after legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand following India’s record show in hockey at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
(With inputs from agencies)