Mirabai is the Sportstar of the Year in the women’s category; Ajit Pal received Lifetime Achievement Award; Other winners include Lovlina, Avni, Pramod, Savita and Rupinder Pal
Mirabai is the Sportstar of the Year in the women’s category; Ajit Pal received Lifetime Achievement Award; Other winners include Lovlina, Avni, Pramod, Savita and Rupinder Pal
Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra claimed the coveted ‘Sportstar of the Year (Men)’ award at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards held at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel here on Saturday.
Reigning Olympic javelin throw champion Neeraj said his tryst with the sport began as a fitness routine. “We athletes will continue to work hard and try to take our country to the top of the world,” Neeraj said.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, received the ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)’ award. Mirabai could not attend the event.
An Evening to Remember: Award winners pose for gifts. , photo credit: Ritu Raj Konwar
Lovlina Borgohain (Player of the Year, Individual Sports), Avani Lekhara (Parathlete of the Year, Women), Pramod Bhagat (Special Recognition Award), Savita (Player of the Year, Team Sports), and Rupinder Pal Singh (Player of the Year, Team Sports) were some of the award winners present at the event.
The jury panel was chaired by India’s legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Former India hockey captain MM Somaya, chess legend Viswanathan Anand, former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Olympians Anjali Bhagwat and Aparna Popat were other members of the jury.
Tennis star Leander Paes, Olympic gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra, table tennis legend Kamlesh Mehta, former international hockey player and Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh, former India cricketers Syed Kirmani, Mohammad Azharuddin, Diana Edulji and Dilip Vengsarkar are some of the dignitaries. person was present. on this occasion.
Moment to cherish: Parathlete of the Year award winner Avani Lekhra received a standing ovation. , photo credit: KR Lamp
really special
“It is really special to receive this award in front of players I have admired. After my Olympic medal, this is the most special award for me,” said Bhagat.
Savita and Rupinder dedicated their individual awards to their teammates.
Former Indian hockey team captain Ajit Pal Singh was honored with the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. Ajit was part of two Olympic bronze winning teams, one at the 1972 Munich Games. “Leander’s father Wes and I shared the same room at the 1972 Munich Olympics. There was an ugly and scary incident (terror attack at the Games) but luckily we were not affected,” said 74-year-old Ajit Pal.
Filled with humour: Ajit Pal Singh, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, shook the gathering with his tales. , photo credit: KR Lamp
Compliments from a mentor: Anand praised Nihal Sarin, the winner of the Young Athlete of the Year award. , photo credit: Ritu Raj Konwar
“The Aces Awards celebrate the spirit of excellence in sport and look forward to inspiring our athletes and sportspersons to break new records and reach new heights of glory. We also hope to inspire millions of fans who have invested heavily in the dream of India as a major sporting power,” said Malini Parthasarathy, President, The Hindu Group.
“It is wonderful to see our champions here tonight. Their efforts have brought great joy to the nation when everything was lost due to the pandemic. We are all so proud of you,” said Sportstar editor Ayon Sengupta.
The awards were presented by Byju’s as an associate partner of IDFC First Bank.