New Delhi: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra was awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honor, on Monday. During a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the 24-year-old javelin thrower won the coveted medal from President Ram Nath Kovind.
Chopra made history in the Tokyo Olympics when she became the first Indian to win a gold medal in a track and field event.
He also became only the second Indian following shooter Abhinav Bindra to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Neeraj Chopra for Sports. He is the first Track & Field athlete to win a gold medal for India at the Olympic games. pic.twitter.com/aLqmYUDO6a
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 28, 2022
Paralympic gold medallist in badminton Pramod Bhagat was also conferred with the honor alongside Chopra.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Pramod Bhagat for Sports. An international Para Badminton player, he has won Gold Medal in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He is the current World No. 1 and World Champion in Men's Singles and Men's Doubles event. pic.twitter.com/ZOkTgGz1x9
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 28, 2022
Bhagat, 33, also became the first Indian to win a gold medal in para-badminton, which made its Paralympic debut last year.
