WFI nominates Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for Khel Ratna
Wrestling Federation of India nominated several Indian wrestlers, who bagged medals in various events, for India’s most honorary awards. While Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat nominated for Khel Ratna award, other wrestlers have been nominated for the Arjuna and Dronacharya award.
India have plethora of sportsmen who have performed well in their respective sports over the years. In Wrestling, many Indian wrestlers have been awarded with various awards like Padma Shri, Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards. Sushil Kumar who has bagged Silver in London Olympics was honored with those three awards.
Wrestling Federation of India have now nominated successful Indian wrestlers for various honorary awards.
Bajrang Punia, who has received Arjuna Award in 2015 and bagged gold medal in 65 kg category Wrestling in Asian Championshipship 2019, has been nominated for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Asian Championship 2019 53 kg category bronze medalist Vinesh Phogat has been nominated for the same award. It is notable that Phogat is the first woman wrestler to win Gold in both Commonwealth and Asian games.
World Championship 2018 bronze medalist Pooja Dhanda and Asian Championship 2019 68 Kg category bronze medalist Divya Kakran has been nominated for the Arjuna Award. Greco-Roman wrestler Harpreet Singh, who bagged silver on the last day of Asian Championship 2019 and Asian Championship bronze medalist Rahul Aware, have been recommended for the same award.
Additionally, WFI also recommended Virender Kumar, Sujeet Maan, Narendra Kumar and Vikram Kumar for the Dronacharya award, which is meant for high-performing coaches.
Bheem Singh and Jai Prakash's names have also been sent for the Dhyanchand award for lifetime achievement.