In Paris, she made historical past by turning into the primary Indian feminine shooter to win an Olympic medal
In a shocking growth, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has not been nominated for the celebrated Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this yr, experiences recommend. Bhaker, who received two bronze medals in capturing on the Paris Olympics, was notably absent from the checklist of nominees.
According to a Times of India report, officers from the sports activities ministry claimed that Bhaker did not apply for the award. However, sources near the 22-year-old shooter’s household refuted this, stating that she had certainly submitted her software.
Bhaker showcased exceptional resilience after a pistol malfunction on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the place she narrowly missed a medal. In Paris, she made historical past by turning into the primary Indian feminine shooter to win an Olympic medal, clinching bronze in the ladies’s 10m air pistol occasion. She adopted this with one other bronze in the blended 10m air pistol staff occasion alongside Sarabjot Singh.
Her achievements made her the primary Indian post-Independence to win two medals in a single Olympics. Bhaker additionally narrowly missed a 3rd medal, ending fourth in the ladies’s 25m pistol ultimate.
Meanwhile, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are amongst this yr’s Khel Ratna nominees. Harmanpreet led India to bronze in Paris and has been a key determine in the staff’s success, together with an Asian Games gold final yr. Praveen clinched gold in the boys’s excessive bounce T64 class in Paris, including to his silver from Tokyo.
The Khel Ratna choice committee has the authority to honour athletes who might not have utilized. Bhaker’s historic performances might benefit such consideration, as seen beforehand with cricketer Mohammed Shami receiving the Arjuna Award below related circumstances.
