New Delhi: Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award to star Indian badminton men’s doubles pair, Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Last year, it was announced that the Indian badminton men’s doubles pair would be honored with the prestigious honour, but due to Malaysia Open Super 1000, they could not attend the National Sports Awards ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In New Delhi, our badminton champions Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were honored with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023. This award is a testament to his dedication and exceptional performance on the court. I wish him all the best for his future endeavours,” Mandaviya posted on Twitter.
The former world No. 1 pair was supposed to receive the award this February, but it was postponed after Satwik’s father died of a heart attack. 2023 was a memorable year for Chirag and Satwik as they won the Asian Games gold medal (the first for India in badminton at this event), the Asian Championship title and the prestigious Indonesia Open Super 1000 title. She is also a World Championship bronze medalist from 2022 and a Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
In 2023, Satwik broke the decade-old Guinness World Record for the fastest ever shot in badminton with an astonishing speed of 565 km/h, breaking the previous world record of 493 km/h achieved by Malaysian badminton player Tan Boon Heong in 2013.
Satwik, who took a break after reaching the quarterfinals of Chirag and Paris Olympics, made a strong start to the 2025 season by reaching the semi-finals of Malaysia Open and Indian Open. However, the pair are facing fitness and injury problems after being pulled out of the Badminton Asia Championships last month and later the Sudirman Cup due to lack of fitness. The pair last played at the 2025 All England Open Super 1000, where they retired midway through their round of 16 match.
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