Gukesh Receives Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award | India’s Chess Champion Honoured
Indian chess champion Gukesh, the reigning World Chess Champion, has been awarded the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Discover more about his achievement and other awardees like Manu Bhaker and Harmanpreet Singh.
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Indian chess player Gukesh, who is the current World Chess Champion, has received a very special award called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. This is India’s highest sports award. Gukesh got the award from India’s President Draupadi Murmu at a ceremony on January 17.
Gukesh made history by becoming the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship. In December 2024, he won the final match with 7.5 points after his opponent, Ding Liren, made a mistake. The first Indian to win this championship was the famous chess player Viswanathan Anand.
Along with Gukesh, shooter Manu Bhaker also received the Khel Ratna Award. Manu Bhaker won two medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event and another medal in the mixed 10m air pistol event with Sarabjot Singh.
Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medalist Praveen Kumar also received the Khel Ratna Award. Harmanpreet and his team won two Olympic bronze medals, and Praveen won a gold medal in high jump at the Paris Paralympics.
This year, 32 athletes were given the Arjuna Award, including 17 para-athletes. Indian athletes won 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics, including seven golds and nine silvers.
