Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia recommended for Khel Ratna by Wrestling Federation of India

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia created history at the 2018 Asian Games by winning the gold medal in their respective categories.

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has recommended the names of wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

MONACO, MONACO - FEBRUARY 18: Laureus World Comeback Of The Year 2019 Nominee Vinesh Phogat speaks during a media interview on February 18, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for Laureus)(Getty Images for Laureus)

Vinesh comes from a family known for producing champion wrestlers like her cousins Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, both Commonwealth Games medallists. She created history last year by becoming the first India female wrestler to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. She has also won two gold medals in Commonwealth Games - 2014 Glasgow Games (48 kg category) and 2018 Gold Coast (50 kg category) and was awarded Arjuna Award in the year 2016.

Bajrang Punia too has been rewriting the history books and had a very successful 2018, in which he won golds at the Asian Games (Jakarta) and Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast) in the 65 kg category. He also achieved the number 1 ranking in wrestling, in a first for India, at the world level. He won the Arjuna award in the year 2015.

WFI also recommended wrestlers Rahul Aware, Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for Arjuna award. For the Dronacharya award, WFI recommended Virender Kumar, Sujeet Maan, Narendra Kumar & Vikram Kumar.

Wrestling Federation of India has also recommended Bheem Singh and Jai Prakash for Dhyanchand award.