Muristek
Devendra Jhajharia honoured with Padma Bhushan, Neeraj Chopra gets Padma Shri
New Delhi, January 25
Star para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia was today named for the prestigious Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in the country, while Olympics gold winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was among the eight sportspersons named for Padma Shri award.
Devendra Jhajharia is a two-time gold medallist at the Paralympic Games.Jhajharia, 40, has won three medals in javelin in the Paralympic Games. He won a gold each at the 2004 Athens Games and the 2016 Rio Games. He won a silver at last year's Tokyo Paralympics.
Chopra, the 24-year-old, made history in the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win a gold in a track and field event in the Games' history.
He also became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympics gold after shooter Abhinav Bindra.
"Humbled and honoured to know that I have been named as a recipient of the Padma Shri award and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal. I thank you all for your good wishes and blessings and will continue to work hard to do my best for the nation," Chopra, who is training in the US, tweeted.
The other Padma Shri awardees include former Indian football team captain Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Indian women's hockey team player Vandana Kataria, para shooter Avani Lekhara, para badminton player Pramod Bhagat and para javelin thrower Sumit Antil. —