Olympians Sakshi, Karmakar receive Padma honours

Olympic bronze medal-winning grappler Sakshi Malik and gymnast Dipa Karmakar received the Padma Shri from President Pranab Mukherjee at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

Karmakar, hailing from Agartala, missed the bronze medal by 0.150 points as American gymnast Simone Biles won her third gold medal at the Rio Olympics last year.

The 23-year-old Karmakar created history when she became the first Indian gymnast to enter the final on her debut at the Olympics.

“Received Padma Shri from Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon. President of India today. Un sabko thank you jisne mere journey mein madad kiya Hai. :D,” Dipa tweeted.

Sakshi, who won the bronze medal in the 58 kg category, became the first woman wrestler in India to win an Olympic medal and fourth Indian woman athlete to clinch the coveted medal after Karnam Malleshwari, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal.

Meanwhile, discus thrower Vikas Gowda and Paralympian Mariyappan Thangavelu were other notable winners of the prestigious award.

On March 30, India cricket captain Virat Kohli and Rio Paralympics silver-medalist Deepa Malik received their Padma Shri honours.          

These sports stars are among 75 Padma Shri awardees announced this year.

The Padma Shri is the country's fourth highest civilian award.