New Delhi, July 29 - Indian Boxing Federation (IBF) president Abhay Singh Chautala called it a 'historic' day for the sport in the country after Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh and four-time world boxing champion M.C.Marykom were declared recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

For the first time since the inception of the Khel Ratna award in 1991, three sportspersons - Marykom, and Olympic bronze medallists boxer Vijender and wrestler Sushil Kumar - will receive the country's highest sporting honour in the same year.

The only other time more than one sportsperson were bestowed the award was in 2002-03 when shooter Anjali Vedpathak and athlete K.M. Beenamol shared it.

It was more heartening for the Indian Boxing Federation as two boxers will receive the honour.

'It is the first time in India that any single discipline has received two Khel Ratnas in the same year,' Chautala said in a statement.