Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra, who became only the second Indian to win individual gold at the Tokyo Games, silver medal-winning wrestler Ravi Dahiya were recommended for the Khel Ratna as an unprecedented 11 athletes were named for the country's highest sporting honour.
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The list includes Boxer Lovlina Borgohain who won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, seasoned hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and cricketer Mithali Raj were also recommended for the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna by the selection committee.
National football captain Sunil Chhetri also features on the list and becomes the first footballer to be selected for the honour.
Paralympic Shooter Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal, javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shuttlers Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar, who all won a gold each at the Tokyo Paralympics are also on the list of those recommended for the Khel Ratna.
The selection committee has also picked 35 athletes for the Arjuna award which is eight more than last year's number of awardees which includes the entire Men's hockey team that won a historic bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.