Ten Haryana Athletes Receive National Sports Awards

In a testament to Haryana's enduring legacy as India's sporting powerhouse, the state has once again demonstrated its athletic prowess with an unprecedented showing at this year's National Sports Awards. The recognition of ten athletes from the state, including the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awarded to shooter Manu Bhaker, not only highlights individual excellence but also underscores the robust sports ecosystem that has made Haryana a crucible of athletic talent. From small villages to international podiums, these athletes embody the indomitable spirit that has become synonymous with Haryana's sporting culture.

Arjuna Awardees: Tales of Perseverance and Triumph 

The state's sporting excellence was further highlighted with nine athletes receiving the Arjuna Award:

• Nitu Ghanghas, inspired by Vijender Singh, pursued boxing while her father took unpaid leave for four years to support her training 
• Saweety Boora, who went for kabaddi trials but became a world champion boxer 
• Sanjay Kaliraman, who practiced hockey with borrowed sticks due to financial constraints 
• Abhishek Nain, who played a crucial role in India's Olympic bronze medal-winning hockey team
• Sarbajot Singh, recognized for his Olympic bronze in shooting 
• Dharambir Nain, honored for his Paralympic gold in club throw
• Aman Sehrawat, who overcame personal tragedy to win an Olympic bronze 
• Navdeep Singh, who found inspiration in Neeraj Chopra's YouTube video to become a Paralympic gold medalist
• Nitesh Kumar, who dominated Para-Badminton with a Paralympic gold in Men's Singles SL3 in Paris 2024, along with multiple medals at the Asian Para Games and World Championship

Sporting Stories 

Manu Bhaker (Khel Ratna Awardee) 

A remarkable talent from Jhajjar, Haryana, Manu Bhaker's journey to becoming India's premier shooter took several unexpected turns. Initially training as a boxer, her path changed when she took a punch to her eye. Undeterred, she explored multiple sports including martial arts, archery, tennis, and skating, winning medals in each before finding her true calling in shooting. Her resilience was tested after the Tokyo Olympics when equipment failure nearly led to her retirement. However, she bounced back spectacularly, defeating world number one Heena Sidhu in the National Championship. Her perseverance culminated in a historic achievement at the Paris Olympics, where she became the first Indian female shooter to win two medals.

Sarbajot Singh (Arjuna Award)

From Ambala's farmlands emerged an unlikely shooting champion. Sarbajot Singh, whose father is a farmer, initially dreamed of becoming a footballer. His destiny changed at age 13 when he witnessed children practicing with airguns at a temporary range during a summer camp. Despite his father's concerns about shooting being an expensive sport, Sarbajot's determination never wavered. He validated his choice by winning gold at the Junior World Championship and later partnered with Manu Bhaker to secure a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics.

Saweety Boora (Arjuna Award)

Hailing from Hisar, Sweety Boora's sporting journey began with kabaddi in her village. When her father took her to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for kabaddi trials, her physique caught the coach's attention, who suggested she try boxing instead. Remarkably, she defeated competitors with two years of training experience despite being a newcomer. Her talent flourished, culminating in her becoming India's seventh World Champion boxer after defeating a Chinese opponent in 2023. She is now married to Deepak Niwas Hooda, a former Indian kabaddi team captain from Rohtak.

Sanjay Kaliraman (Arjuna Award)

A testament to perseverance from Hisar, Sanjay Kaliraman's journey to the Olympic bronze in hockey began at age seven under challenging circumstances. Coming from a farming family facing financial constraints, he couldn't afford his own hockey stick and practiced with borrowed equipment for a month until coach Rajendra Sihag provided him one. His dedication led him to captain India's school hockey team and various junior teams, accumulating over 30 medals at national and international levels before contributing to India's Olympic bronze medal.

Aman Sehrawat (Arjuna Award)

Aman Sehrawat's story from Jhajjar is one of extraordinary resilience and dedication. Losing his mother at age 11 and his father shortly after, he channeled his grief into wrestling when his father enrolled him to prevent depression. Inspired by Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, whom he later defeated to qualify for the Olympics, Aman kept his father's dream alive. His determination was evident in the motivational photo he hung in his room with the words "If it were easy, everyone would do it." This mindset carried him to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Nitu Ghanghas (Arjuna Award)

Inspired by Vijender Singh's 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medal, Bhiwani's Nitu Ghanghas began her boxing journey with unwavering family support. Her father, Jai Bhagwan, a government employee, took four years of unpaid leave from the Haryana Assembly to support her training, traveling 20 kilometers daily to take her to boxing club. She gained prominence by defeating Romania's Stelluta, who had previously beaten the legendary MC Mary Kom. Currently, she's a World Champion in the minimum weight category and a two-time World Youth Champion, with her sights set on the 2028 Olympics.

Navdeep Singh (Arjuna Award)

Navdeep Singh's journey from Panipat to Paralympic gold in javelin throw is a story of overcoming physical limitations diagnosed at age two. Initially a wrestler, a back injury led him to switch sports after finding inspiration in a YouTube video of Neeraj Chopra's junior world record. This chance encounter with Chopra's success story motivated him to take up javelin throw, leading to impressive achievements at the Para Asian Games, Tokyo Paralympics, and World Championships before clinching gold at the Paralympics.

Abhishek Nain (Arjuna Award) 

Sonipat's Abhishek Nain showed early promise in hockey, competing at the state level while still in fifth grade, memorably breaking three hockey sticks in one tournament. Despite an injury from falling from a jamun tree at age 11, he persevered to become a crucial member of India's Olympic bronze-winning hockey team. His international debut came in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League, followed by gold at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy. His talent was recognized when he became the second-highest paid player in the Hockey India League auction, signed by Rath Bengal Tigers for ₹72 lakhs.

Dharambir Nain (Arjuna Award)

From Sonipat's Bhadana village, Dharambir Nain's life changed dramatically after a diving accident in 2012 that damaged his spine. Despite losing mobility in more than half his body, he underwent rehabilitation in Delhi and spent six months training for self-reliance in Gurugram. His determination led him to compete in the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, win silver in club throw at Jakarta in 2018, and secure medals at various international championships. His achievements culminated in winning Paralympic gold in the F51 category of club throw and being named Para Player of the Year in 2024.

Nitesh Kumar (Arjuna Award)

Nitesh Kumar's journey to Paralympic glory is a testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. After a life-altering accident in 2009 that left him with a permanent leg injury and months of being bedridden, Kumar turned his focus to academics, successfully earning admission to IIT Mandi in 2013. It was during his time at IIT that he discovered his passion for badminton, which would later define his athletic career. Starting his para-badminton journey in 2016 with the Haryana team, Kumar quickly rose through the ranks, claiming his first international title at the 2017 Irish Para-Badminton International. His remarkable achievements include three World Championship medals and four Asian Para Games medals. The culmination of his inspiring journey came at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where he made history by winning India's first badminton gold medal.

Coaching Excellence: Sandeep Sangwan's Legacy

Hockey coach Sandeep Sangwan's Dronacharya Award recognizes his exceptional contribution to Indian hockey. His trained athletes, including Sumit, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Jarmanpreet, Sanjay, and Abhishek, have achieved remarkable success at the Olympic Games (2021 and 2024), Asian Games 2023, and Commonwealth Games 2022. This award celebrates his role in nurturing talent that has brought glory to both Haryana and India.

The stories of these nine athletes, each marked by unwavering determination and resilience, serve as beacons of inspiration for the next generation of sports enthusiasts. Their journey from humble beginnings to national recognition reinforces Haryana's position as the heartland of Indian sports, where dreams take flight in dusty playgrounds and emerge as golden victories on the world stage. As these champions return home with their prestigious awards, they carry with them not just medals and accolades, but the collective pride of a state that continues to shape India's sporting destiny.