The selection committee on Wednesday shortlisted 35 athletes from the Tokyo Olympics for the Arjuna Award. It made 11 recommendations for the Khel Ratan medal, reflecting India’s stellar performance in the context, including champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.
Silver medalist wrestler Ravi Dahiya and female boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who became the second recruit to win an Olympic gold besides gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, have been honored for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the country’s highest sporting honor.
P.R Sreejesh, a seasoned hockey goalkeeper, and Mithali Raj, the Test and ODI captain of the women’s cricket team, were chosen with Sunil Chhetri, the country’s first footballer to get the honor.
The names of all the five gold medalist winners of the Tokyo Olympics are as follows Avani Lekhara (shooting), Manish Narwal (shooting), Sumit Antil (athletics), Pramod Bhagat (badminton), and Krishna Nagar (badminton) and these winners are recognized for their achievement. These names will now be submitted to the Sports Ministry for approval in the list.
Lovlina, a boxer, gave her parents the recommendation for the country’s highest athletic honor. “Being nominated for the Khel Ratna award is one of the proudest days of my career as an athlete.” “I would like to dedicate this honor to my parents, Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi sir, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur sir, SAI, BFI, trainers, and everyone who has been a part of my path.” “I will continue to work hard to bring greater honor to my country,” she stated.
India sent the largest delegation to the Tokyo Olympics, with 121 athletes competing. The country achieved its best performance, winning seven medals, including one gold, two silver, and four bronze. Wrestler Bajrang Punia, shuttler PV Sindhu, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu are the first three medalists to have won the Khel Ratan honor at the Paralympics in India 19, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
Last year five athletes were selected for Khel Ratna and four following the 2016 Rio Olympics. India’s outstanding achievement in Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has resulted in proposals.
The announcement of the National Sports Awards was postponed keeping in view the results of the para-athletes at the Tokyo Paralympics from August 24 to August 5; besides, the committee has recommended 35 athletes for the Arjuna Award eight more than last year.
Shikhar Dhawan, a cricketer, Bhavina Patel, a para table tennis player, Suhas Yathiraj, a para shuttler, and Nishad Kumar, a high jumper, are among those nominated for the Arjuna award, which is granted to outstanding achievers.
In reality, Dhawan became the 57th cricketer to win the Arjuna award.
All the historic bronze medal-winning men’s hockey team of the Tokyo Olympics who had never received the award before have been nominated for Arjuna Award.
Vandana Katariya and Monika of the women’s hockey team, who were instrumental in the team’s brilliant performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Bhavani Devi, the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics, boxer Simranjit Kaur, wrestler Deepak Punia, pistol shooter Abhishek Verma, kabaddi player Sandeep Narwal, and women’s tennis player Ankita Raina are among those who have received recommendations.
According to the information received, the Dronacharya award has been given to hockey coach Sandeep Sangwan along with sports coaches Radhakrishna Nair and TP Ouseph; the Khel Ratna award is accompanied by a cash prize of ₹ 250000 and an administered letter, while the Arjuna awardees are given a cash prize of ₹ 150000. In addition, and will get a medal. Before 2020, Khel Ratan Award was ₹ 7.5 lakh, while Arjuna Award was ₹ Rs 5 lakh.