Ace shooter Manu Bhaker, chess champ Gukesh to get Khel Ratna Award

New Delhi: Ace shooter Manu Bhaker, chess world champion D Gukesh, men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar were on Thursday named recipients of this year's Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

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 performance in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events in August. Her omission earlier had received considerable media attention.
Hamranpreet led the Indian hockey team to its second consecutive bronze medal in the same Paris Olympics.

The 18-year-old Gukesh became the youngest-ever World champion after he dethroned Chinese Ding Liren in the World Championship final played in Singapore in December 2024. The teenager was also part of the Indian team that won a historic gold in the Chess Olympiad last year.

The fourth recipient is para high-jumper Praveen, who was crowned the T64 champion in the Paris Paralympics.

The T64 classification is for athletes with one or both legs missing below the knee and who rely on a prosthetic leg for running.
"The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17," the sports ministry said in a press release.