Virat Kohli, Mirabai Chanu conferred Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award
Virat Kohli and Mirabai Chanu
Indian Cricket team captain Virat Kohli and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu were conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.
The annual National Sports Awards were bestowed on the best athletes that the country has seen in the past one year.
Kohli is the third cricketer to be awarded the Khel Ratna after Sachin Tendulkar (1997) and MS Dhoni (2007).
Earlier in the day, Chanu reflected on her excitement at the honour.
“A really big day for me as I receive the prestigious #RajivGandhiKhelRatnaAward at the #RashtrapatiBhawan today. A big thanks to everyone who have supported me all throughout this journey. Special thanks to my family, my coaches, Govt, Federation, and my fans. Indeed grateful!” she wrote in a tweet.
Chanu is also the third weightlifter to win the prize after Karnam Malleswari (1995) and Nameirakpam Kunjarani (1996).