Neeraj hogs the limelight, wins Sportstar of the Year award

Mirabai is Sportstar of the Year in women’s section; Ajit Pal bags Lifetime Achievement award; Lovlina, Avani, Pramod, Savita and Rupinder Pal among other winners

Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra claimed the coveted ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)’ award at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards held at The Taj Mahal Palace hotel here on Saturday.

Neeraj, the reigning Olympic javelin throw champion, stated that his tryst with the sport started 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 the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, received the ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)’ award. Mirabai was unable to attend the event.

Lovlina Borgohain (Sportswoman of the Year, Individual Sports), Avani Lekhara (Parathlete of the Year, Female), Pramod Bhagat (Special Recognition award), Savita (Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sports), and Rupinder Pal Singh (Sportsman of the Year, Team Sports) were some of the awardees present at the event.

The jury panel was headed by legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Former India hockey captain M.M. Somaya, chess stalwart Viswanathan Anand, former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and Olympians Anjali Bhagwat and Aparna Popat were the other members of the jury.

Tennis star Leandar Paes, Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, table tennis great Kamlesh Mehta, former international hockey player and Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh, former India cricketers Syed Kirmani, Mohammad Azharuddin, Diana Edulji, and Dilip Vengsarkar were some of the dignitaries present on the occasion.

“To receive this award in front of sportspersons I have admired is truly special. After my Olympics medal, this is the most special award for me,” Bhagat said.