Khel Ratna awards: Manu Bhaker, Gukesh among top honourees at Rashtrapati Bhavan
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 show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events in August last year.
In a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Sports Awards, recognizing the stellar achievements of Indian athletes. While stars like Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh brought glamour, it was the para-athletes who received the most heartfelt applause.
Major honurs bestowed
Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic bronze medalist, was among the recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the nation’s highest sporting honor. Joining her were chess prodigy D Gukesh, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympic gold medalist Praveen Kumar.
Gukesh, at just 18, became the youngest chess world champion, emulating Viswanathan Anand's legendary feat. Praveen Kumar, overcoming physical challenges, turned his Paralympic silver into gold at the Paris Games.
Para-athletes steal the show
This year, 17 para-athletes were among the 32 Arjuna Award recipients, a historic moment reflecting their outstanding performances at the Paris Paralympics, where India clinched 29 medals, including seven golds. The applause reached its peak when 80-year-old Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, received the Arjuna Award (Lifetime). The war hero-turned-para-swimmer was honored for his perseverance and historic 1972 victory.
Supporting excellence
Other notable awards included the Dronacharya Award for exemplary coaches and the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar to organizations promoting sports. Chandigarh University and Lovely Professional University shared the MAKA Trophy for their contributions to university-level sports.
Dignitaries like Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and actor Kartik Aaryan, who portrayed Petkar in a biopic, were present at the event. The ceremony highlighted India’s growing sports excellence, blending determination, talent, and inclusivity.
