Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh Among 2025 Khel Ratna Award Recipients

India’s twin-Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and chess prodigy D Gukesh have been selected for the prestigious 2025 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The announcement, made by the sports ministry, also recognized Indian men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar as recipients.

Manu Bhaker created history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition. She claimed bronze in both the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events. Her nomination initially faced scrutiny, but Bhaker clarified, “A lapse, possibly on my part, occurred during filing. Regardless of awards, my focus remains on winning medals for India.”

Chess prodigy D Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Champion and played a pivotal role in India’s gold medal win at the Chess Olympiad last year. His exceptional performance solidified his place as a global chess sensation.

Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian men’s hockey team to a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Games, further enhancing his reputation as one of India’s finest hockey players.

Praveen Kumar earned the T64 high jump title at the Paris Paralympics. Despite using a prosthetic leg, his extraordinary effort in the T64 category inspired millions.

The recipients will receive their accolades from the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025. The Khel Ratna Award celebrates unparalleled contributions to sports, recognizing excellence and dedication on an international platform.