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)