On Thursday, January 2, Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that ace shooter Manu Bhaker and recently crowned World Chess Champion D Gukesh are among those who will receive Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna this year.
22-year-old Manu Bhaker became the first Indian athlete to win 2 Olympic medals at a single event during the Paris Olympics, while D Gukesh won the World Chess Championship after a tense battle with Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren, becoming the youngest Chess World Champion at the age of 18.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announces the Khel Ratna Award for Olympic double medalist Manu Bhaker, Chess World Champion Gukesh D, Hockey team Captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympic Gold medallist Praveen Kumar. pic.twitter.com/VD54E0EtEk
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2025
Apart from them, Indian Hockey Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic Gold medallist Praveen Kumar will also receive the highly prestigious honour.
Khel Ratna is the highest sporting honour in India, and awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
