Satwik-Chirag Receive Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award

Olympians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honour, by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi today. The celebrated badminton pair had been named for the 2023 award but couldn’t attend the ceremony due to international tournament commitments.

The duo, who made history by becoming the first Indian men’s pair to reach World No. 1 in BWF rankings and clinching the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, were lauded by the Minister for bringing immense pride to the country. “When you stand on the podium with the Tricolour, it is a proud moment not just for you, but for every Indian,” Dr. Mandaviya said.

Chirag Shetty expressed joy on finally receiving the honour, saying, “It was long due, and we’re grateful to the government for its continuous support throughout our journey.”

Satwik added, “This award is a massive confidence boost, especially as we take a short break from competitive play. Initiatives like Khelo India and TOPS have transformed athlete support in India. We started with financial struggles, but government support made all the difference.”

 The pair began 2025 strong, with podium finishes at the Malaysia and India Opens. They are now eyeing a return to form at the upcoming Singapore Open (May 27–June 1) and Indonesia Open (June 3–8) after recovering from minor injuries.