Internet Desk: Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who created history at the ongoing Rio Olympics 2016, is likely to receive the country’s highest sporting honour – Khel Ratna. According to reports on Wednesday (August 17), Dipa will be chosen for the prestigious Khel Ratna award. The decision is likely to be taken tomorrow.
Dipa narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in Rio as she finished 4th in the women’s vault final on Sunday (August 14). The 23-year-old may have not claimed a medal but won millions of hearts as she was hailed for her efforts.
Last year, tennis ace Sania Mirza was selected for Khel Ratna. If Dipa gets the award, she will be the first gymnast to receive the honour. Shooter Jitu Rai, who qualified for the 10m air pistol event and finished eighth, has also been recommended for the Khel Ratna.
Dipa and Jitu will receive the award from President Pranab Mukherjee on National Sports Day. Sprinter Tintu Lukha, was also apparently in the running for the honour. Meanwhile, Dipa’s coach BS Nandy, is a top contender for the Guru Dhronacharya Award.
Shuttlers PV Sindhu (who is in the semifinals) or Kidambi Srikanth (who plays his quarterfinal today), will get automatic recommendations for Khel Ratna if they win a medal in Rio.