Jeev, Humpy conferred Padma Shri awards

New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) The country's top golfer Jeev Milkha Singh and chess prodigy Koneru Humpy were among those named for Padma awards here tonight.

Both were conferred Padma Shri.

For 35-year-old Chandigarh-based Jeev, the Padma award came at a time when he is experiencing the peak of his career.

He won four top tournaments last year -- Volvo China Open, Volvo Masters, Casio World Open and Golf Nippon Series JT Cup -- and bagged 2006 Asian Tour Order of Merit title besides becoming the first Indian to break into the top 50 of the official world golf rankings.

Nineteen-year-old Humpy of Adhra Pradesh is the youngest woman in the world to attain full Grandmaster status and is presently ranked second among woman Grandmasters.

She won two Gold medals in the Doha Asian Games in December.

UNI