On January 17, 2025, four outstanding athletes were honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awardees included shooting star Manu Bhaker, chess prodigy D. Gukesh, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, and Paralympic high jump gold medalist Praveen Kumar.
Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Games. Her bronze medals in both the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events were a testament to her resilience after a tough performance in Tokyo.
D. Gukesh, at just 18, became the youngest ever world chess champion by defeating China’s Ding Liren. His victory marked a milestone in Indian chess, making him only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to claim the world title.
Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of India’s men’s hockey team, led his squad to two consecutive Olympic bronze medals, first in Tokyo and then in Paris. His leadership and performance were key to India’s success on the world stage, especially in the pressure-filled bronze medal matches.
Praveen Kumar, born with a short left leg, clinched a gold medal in the high jump at the Paris Paralympics, following his silver in Tokyo. His achievements have made him an inspirational figure for para-athletes worldwide.
In addition to the Khel Ratna awardees, 32 athletes were honored with the Arjuna Award, including several para-athletes who were part of India’s impressive 29-medal haul at the Paris Paralympics. This year, para-athletes outnumbered able-bodied athletes in the Arjuna Awards, reflecting the growing prominence of para-sports in India.
The awards highlighted India’s exceptional sporting talent and the hard work of athletes who continue to inspire future generations.
