India, Jan. 17 -- In a distinguished ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday, President Draupadi Murmu conferred the esteemed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award upon four of India's elite athletes: double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, chess sensation Gukesh Dommaraju, men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympic gold medalist high jumper Praveen Kumar.

Manu Bhaker etched her name in history during the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to earn an Olympic medal, securing bronze in the women's individual 10m air pistol event. She further distinguished herself by winning another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh, thus becoming the first Indian athlete to achieve two medals at a single Olympic Games.

However, the celebrated shooter experienced a lighthearted moment just before receiving her award from the president. As her accomplishments were being announced, Manu took a few steps forward after a brief pause, only to realize that the announcer had not yet finished. With a playful smile, she waited an additional ten seconds before proceeding to the president to accept her award.

Gukesh Dommaraju's rapid ascent in the chess world was solidified in December 2024 when, at the age of 18, he triumphed over China's Ding Liren to become the youngest world chess champion in history. His victory at the FIDE World Championship in Singapore made him only the second Indian, following Viswanathan Anand, to attain this prestigious title.

Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men's hockey team, was honored for his exemplary leadership and outstanding performances. A pivotal player in India's bronze medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics, Harmanpreet also led the team to another bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, solidifying his status as a key figure in Indian hockey.

Praveen Kumar, who was born with a shorter left leg, triumphed against significant challenges to secure a gold medal in Men's High Jump T64 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Along with the Khel Ratna recipients, 32 athletes were honoured with the Arjuna Award. Among them were wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh. In a remarkable achievement, 17 of the Arjuna Award winners were para-athletes, reflecting India's stellar performance at the Paris Paralympics, where they secured 29 medals, including seven golds.

The National Sports Awards also included the Dronacharya Award for lifetime achievement, which was presented to former football coach Armando Agnelo Colaco, who played a pivotal role in shaping Indian football.

The ceremony celebrated India's diverse sporting talents, underlining the country's continued success on the world stage.

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