Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna on November 28. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju presented him with the award, as he wasn't present to receive it in the Rashtrapati Bhavan from President Ram Nath Kovind earlier on National Sports Day.
"Any sportsperson feels good after receiving an award and it is the biggest sports award anyone can ask for," Bajrang told the Sports Authority of India. "My sole focus is on the Olympics now. And the responsibility has increased."
"My preparations are going really well. It’s been 10-12 days that I’m training on the mat and I’ve recovered from my injury. I’ll do my best in Tokyo and if I have everyone’s blessing, I’ll get the gold."
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Apart from him, Indian track and field athlete Muhammad Anas and shotputter Tejinderpal Singh Toor got felicitated with their respective Arjuna Awards. Athletics coach Mohinder Singh Dhillon, who also trains Tejinderpal, was conferred the Dronacharya Award.
