After leading India to heroic victories in International sports competitions, Devendra Jhajharia might finally receive his much-deserved reward, as he became the first paralympian to be recommended for India's highest sporting honour – the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. The 36-year-old Jhajharia, a Javelin thrower, also happens to be the first Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals. He won two gold medals in the 2004 Athens Games and 2016 Rio Paralympics. He also won gold at the 2013 World Championships.     

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The selection panel, headed by Justice (Retd.) C K Thakkar had Jhajharia as their first choice, and former hockey captain Sardar Singh as the second nominee. Sardar Singh needs no introduction. He is regarded as one of the world's ace midfielders and is the reason behind India's successful stints in international hockey. While the committee has pitched for both Singh and Jhajharia to receive this honour jointly, the final decision will be made by the Sports Ministry on whether they will pick one of them or both.   

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Apart from the Khel Ratna, 17 other names were recommended by the awards selection committee for the Arjuna award. The list includes names like cricketers Cheteshwar Pujar and Harmanpreet Kaur, Paralympic medalists Maryappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati, golfer SSP Chawrasia and hockey player SV Sunil. 

Source: The Times Of India