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7 contenders for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Sardar, Tintu, Dipika, Girisha, Sindhu, Jeev and Jhajariya in fray for country's highest sporting honour

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Dipika Pallikal and PV Sindhu
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Seven sportspersons are in contention for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country's highest sporting honour, this year.

Thursday was the last day for receiving applications. Indian hockey skipper Sardar Singh, Asian and Commonwealth Games medallist Tintu Luka, Asian Games gold medallist Dipika Pallikal and Paralympian high-jumper Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda have applied for the coveted award. Last year applicants PV Sindhu (badminton), Jeev Milkha Singh (golf) and Devendra Jhajariya (Paralympics) have also decided to try their luck. Two-time world championship bronze medallist Sindhu won the Arjuna Award in 2013 but missed out on Khel Ratna last year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has again decided to not recommend any player for Khel Ratna. However, it has recommended Rohit Sharma for the Arjuna Award.

Star shooter Jitu Rai is a top contender for this year's Arjuna Award. Rai won the back-to-back gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Asian Games in Incheon.

Rahi Sarnobat and Prakash Nanjappa are the other shooters in the fray for Arjuna Award. The sports awards are given every year on August 29, the birthday of the legendary Major Dhyan Chand.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Satish Sivalingam, who unfortunately missed out on an Asian Games medal after felling seriously ill on the eve of his event, could also get the Arjuna Award.

From the wrestling arena, Glasgow gold medallists Amit Kumar and Babita Phogat are also vying for this coveted award along with Incheon silver medallist Bajrang.

However, the maximum applications have been received from the pugilists. Apart from Shiva Thapa who is one of the most promising boxers around, Mandeep Jhangra, Pinki Rani and Paramjeet Samota are in the fray.

It must be mentioned here that 2010 CWG gold medallist Samota has been repeatedly ignored for this award. It was only last year that Samota moved the Delhi high court seeking to set aside the decision taken by the Arjuna Award selection committee to bestow the honour on colleague Jai Bhagwan. After being denied any relief, he even approached the Prime Minister's Office and offered to return his medals.

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