New Delhi: Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia has been nominated for the country’s highest sporting honour – the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
The Asian and Commonwealth Games gold-medalist wrestler’s name was finalized by a 12-member selection committee on the opening day of a two-day meeting today.
The panel headed by Justice Mukundakam Sharma has members such as Bhaichung Bhutia and MC Mary Kom among others.
Bajrang had last year won the gold medal in the 65-kg freestyle event at the Asian Games held in Jakarta.
He had also bagged the gold medal in the same category at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Bajrang is only the fourth wrestler to be finalized for the Khel Ratna award after Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and Sakshi Malik.