The Khel Ratna Award, officially known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, is the highest sporting honour of India. It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the recipient is selected by a committee constituted by the Ministry. As of 2020, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize.

Usually conferred upon only one sportsperson in a year, this year an unprecedented 11 recommendations have been made by the national sports awards selection committee. Meanwhile, 35 athletes, including batsman Shikhar Dhawan, have also been recommended for the Arjuna Award.

These recommendations come after India’s inspiring performance at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Indian women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj and para javelin thrower Sumit Antil are amongst those named for this year’s highest sporting honour. Take a look at the entire list below.

1. Neeraj Chopra

This year, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra became the first track and field athlete to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics. The 23-year-old is also one of only two Indians to have won an individual Olympic gold medal.

2. Mithali Raj

Indian women’s national cricket team captain Mithali Raj is among the athletes recommended for the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna by the selection committee. 

3. Lovlina Borgohain

Star boxer Lovlina Borgohain made the entire country proud after winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

4. Ravi Kumar Dahiya

Wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya bagged a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 57 kg category. Dahiya is also a bronze medalist from the 2019 World Wrestling Championships and a two-time Asian champion.

5. PR Sreejesh

Seasoned hockey goalkeeper and former captain of the Indian national team PR Sreejesh, who played a vital role in the Indian national team’s bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, has also been recommended for Khel Ratna by the national sports awards selection committee.

6. Sunil Chhetri

Star footballer Sunil Chhetri has become the first Indian footballer to be recommended for Khel Ratna.

7. Pramod Bhagat

Para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat is currently ranked world number one in para-badminton men’s singles. He also won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

8. Sumit Antil

Indian Paralympian and javelin thrower Sumit Antil won a gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F64 category at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

9. Avani Lekhara 

Rifle shooter Avani Lekhara, who had become the first Indian woman to win two medals at the Paralympics, has also been recommended for this year’s Khel Ratna Award.

10. Manish Narwal 

Ace shooter Manish Narwal bagged the gold medal in the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

11. Krishna Nagar

Para-badminton player Krishna Nagar, who won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, is also among the 11 athletes recommended by the national sports awards selection committee for the country’s highest sporting honour.