Manu Bhaker, D. Gukesh and Two More Athletes to be Awarded Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Manu Bhaker and World Chess Champion D. Gukesh, along with two other athletes, will be honored with the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the recipients of this year's award.

In addition to Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and World Chess Champion D. Gukesh, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar will also receive the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. All four athletes will be presented with the award by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17. Manu Bhaker, at the age of 22 made history by becoming India's first athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic edition, securing bronze in both the 10-meter air pistol individual and 10-meter air pistol mixed team events. Harmanpreet Singh played a pivotal role in leading the Indian men's hockey team to win back-to-back bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics (2021) and Paris Olympics (2024)

D. Gukesh, the 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster, recently became the youngest World Chess Champion and was instrumental in securing India’s historic gold medal at the Chess Olympiad last year. The fourth recipient, Praveen Kumar, a para high-jumper, won a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics.

In addition to these four awardees, 32 other athletes will be honored with the Arjuna Award.