'My crime is this. I am a deaf-mute disabled player': 'Goonga Pahalwan' upset with Khel Ratna snub

Virender Singh, prominently recognized as 'Goonga Pahalwan,' has expressed his criticism of not winning prestigious Khel Ratna Award. As an accole that has been received by renowned sports and athletic personalities from India, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is highest sporting award presented by President of India. Several athletes and players were bestowed with National Sports Awards on Tuesday, and Singh's statement came after ceremony.

3 things you need to know

• Virender Singh is an Arjuna Award recipient and also won Pma Shri in 2021
• Virender won five Deaflympics Gold medals
• 'Goonga Pahalwan' voiced his concern for wrestlers during protests 

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Virender Singh calls out PM Modi, Anurag Thakur as he expresses disappointment 

Virender Singh, Deaflympics medalist, took to X (Formerly Twitter) and vented his disappointment after he did not win country's biggest sporting honour. He also mentioned PM Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. Pma Shri and Arjuna Award recipient tweeted, 

"Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, and Honorable Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur ji, even after winning five Deaf Olympic medals, I did not get Khel Ratna, nor did Haryana Government give me eight crore rupees under policy, my crime is this much. I am a deaf-mute disabled player..!"

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Virender Singh is a seasoned wrestler who has won three gold medals in Deaflympics. 'Goonga Pahalwan' also won two bronze medals in 2009 and 2021. In World Deaf Wrestling Championships, he has also won numerous medals, including a gold in 2016.

Who won Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023?

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were recipients of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for year 2023. bminton team me history as first Indian team to win gold at Asian Games and secured  top spot in world bminton rankings for men's doubles.