AFI nominates Neeraj Chopra for Khel Ratna, five athletes for Arjuna Award

After some great exploits in the Javelin throw in the last couple of years, Neeraj Chopra has been nominated by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) again for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award - the topmost award for sportspersons in India. After his excellent performance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, where he had bagged a gold medal for India, Chopra was bestowed with the Arjuna Award. 

The 21-year-old was also nominated for the Khel Ratna last year but was considered only for the Arjuna Award. After winning the Asiad gold later in the year in 2018, Chopra had to sit out of the Asian Championships earlier this year because of pain in his elbow.

“Neeraj Chopra has been re-nominated by the AFI this time also. He is the only one recommended for Khel Ratna from athletics,” a source in AFI told PTI. 

Five Indian track and field athletes have been nominated for Arjuna Awards as well. The AFI has recommended Tejinder Pal Singh Toor (shot put), Arpinder Singh (triple jump), Manjit Singh (800m), Swapna Barman (heptathlon) and Dutee Chand (silver in 100m and 200m) for the Arjuna Awards this year.