Neeraj, Lovlina among 11 recommended for Khel Ratna Award

DELHI: India's inspiring show at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics reflected in an unprecedented 11 recommendations for the Khel Ratna award, including that of champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Assam boxer Lovlina Borgohain. The selection committee also named 35 athletes for the Arjuna honour, in Delhi on Wednesday.

Apart from 23-year-old Chopra, who became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold and bronze medal winner Lovlina, silver medal-winning wrestler Ravi Dahiya were recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the country's highest sporting honour.

Seasoned hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and women's cricket team Test captain Mithali Raj were also selected along with iconic Sunil Chhetri, who is set to become the country's first footballer to receive the honour.

All five gold medallists from the Tokyo Paralympics — Avani Lekhara (shooting), Manish Narwal (shooting), Sumit Antil (athletics), Pramod Bhagat (badminton) and Krishna Nagar (badminton) — were also rewarded for their performance as they made the cut in the list which will now be sent for approval to the Sports Ministry. (Agencies)

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