Neeraj leads Khel Ratna’s XI

Olympic gold-winning javelin star Chopra tops long list of nominations for country’s highest sporting honour

Neeraj leads Khel Ratna’s XI

Neeraj Chopra

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, and silver medal-winning wrestler Ravi Dahiya were on Wednesday recommended for the Khel Ratna as an unprecedented 11 athletes were selected for the country’s highest sporting honour.

Boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, seasoned hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and woman cricket Test skipper Mithali Raj were also recommended for the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna by the selection committee.

Ravi Dahiya and Lovlina Borgohain

Chhetri selected

Iconic Sunil Chhetri also became the country’s first footballer to be selected for the honour. Last year, five athletes were picked for the award while four were selected after the 2016 Rio Games.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra, Ravi Dahiya, Lovlina among 11 recommended for Khel Ratna

Five para athletes in list

The announcement of the national sports awards was delayed in order to consider the performance of the para athletes in the Tokyo Paralympics (August 24 to September 5).

Shooter Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal, javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar, who all have won a gold each in the Tokyo Paralympics, completed the list of those recommended for the Khel Ratna.

35 chosen for Arjuna award

The committee also picked 35 athletes for the Arjuna award, eight more than last year’s number of awardees. Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, para TT player Bhavina Patel, para shuttler Suhas Yathiraj and high jumper Nishad Kumar are among those selected for the Arjuna award.

Members of the men’s hockey team that won a historic bronze in the Olympics will also receive Arjuna award.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra enjoys skydiving in Dubai

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