Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards: D Gukesh, Manu Bhaker Among Four Honored with Khel Ratna; 32 Athletes Receive Arjuna Award – Full List Inside

Four outstanding sports persons, comprising chess prodigy D Gukesh and shooter Manu Bhaker, are going to bag the prestigious Khel Ratna Award in 2024. Joining the list are hockey star Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar. The awards ceremony will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17.

Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh Shine

Manu Bhaker becomes the first Indian woman to win two bronze medals in a single Olympics at Paris Olympics 2024. 18-year-old D Gukesh stunned the chess world on December 12, 2023, when he defeated China's Ding Liren to become the youngest world chess champion ever.

Harmanpreet Singh and Praveen Kumar's Heroics

Harmanpreet Singh is a hockey player who helped India win the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. He scored 10 goals in the tournament. A para-athlete, Praveen Kumar, broke the Asian record in the High Jump T64 category and took gold and inspired the camp through his achievements.

32 Athletes win Arjuna Awards

The Arjuna Award is bestowed on 32 sportspersons for their outstanding performances in the year 2024. It includes stars like Jyothi Yarraji (athletics), Neetu (boxing), Salima Tete (hockey), and Sajan Prakash (swimming). Lifetime achievement award was given to para-swimmer Murlikant Petkar and athlete Suchi Singh.

Complete Khel Ratna Award List:

D Gukesh – Chess
Harmanpreet Singh – Hockey
Praveen Kumar – Para-Athletics
Manu Bhaker – Shooting

Arjuna Award List Highlights:

Jyothi Yarraji, Athletics
Neetu, Boxing
Salima Tete, Hockey
Abhishek, Hockey
Rakesh Kumar, Para-Archery
Pranav Surma, Para-Athletics
Sarabjot Singh, Shooting
Sajan Prakash, Swimming