Manu Bhaker, double Olympic medalist, not in Khel Ratna nominees list? Report claims shooter didn't...

In a surprising development, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has not been nominated for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this year, reports suggest. Bhaker, who won two bronze medals in shooting at the Paris Olympics, was notably absent from the list of nominees.

According to a Times of India report, officials from the sports ministry claimed that Bhaker did not apply for the award. However, sources close to the 22-year-old shooter’s family refuted this, stating that she had indeed submitted her application.

Bhaker showcased remarkable resilience after a pistol malfunction at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she narrowly missed a medal. In Paris, she made history by becoming the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal, clinching bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She followed this with another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol team event alongside Sarabjot Singh.

Her achievements made her the first Indian post-Independence to win two medals in a single Olympics. Bhaker also narrowly missed a third medal, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m pistol final.

Meanwhile, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are among this year’s Khel Ratna nominees. Harmanpreet led India to bronze in Paris and has been a key figure in the team’s success, including an Asian Games gold last year. Praveen clinched gold in the men’s high jump T64 class in Paris, adding to his silver from Tokyo.

The Khel Ratna selection committee has the authority to honour athletes who may not have applied. Bhaker’s historic performances could merit such consideration, as seen previously with cricketer Mohammed Shami receiving the Arjuna Award under similar circumstances.