After being ignored for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award last year, wrestler Bajrang Punia was the unanimous choice for the highest sporting honour this year with the 12-member selection committee recommending his name to the Sports Ministry on Friday.
Punia’s name was the only one decided by the committee — headed by Justice (retd.) Mukundakam Sharma and including the likes of Bhaichung Bhutia and M.C. Mary Kom — on the opening day of the two-day meeting with the rest of the names for the other sporting awards to be discussed and decided on Saturday.
The sports ministry has formed a single committee for all the awards this year, unlike the past when the Arjuna/Khel Ratna and Dronacharya awards were decided separately.
On a roll
The Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, the world’s top-ranked wrestler in the 65kg category, has been on a roll over the last 18 months, adding a World Championships silver last year to go with his bronze in the 60kg in 2013. Punia is among the brightest medal prospects for India in next month’s World Championships at Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, and at the Tokyo Olympics next year.
Last year, he had threatened to move court after being snubbed for the award in favour of Virat Kohli and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, claiming he had the achievements to merit the honour and seeking explanation from the ministry for his omission. He joins Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and Sakshi Malik as the fourth wrestler to get the award.
Sources said another name could be added during deliberations that would continue on Saturday, along with other awardees for this year.
