At Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu honored India's top-performing athletes with the prestigious Arjuna Award—the second-highest sports honor in the country. Established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, this award serves as a commendation for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games. President Murmu presented the Arjuna Award to 26 deserving sportspersons, marking a momentous occasion in Indian sports. Notably, 15 of the recipients were accomplished female athletes, reflecting their exceptional contributions to the field.
The list predominantly comprises participants from the historic Asian Games 2023, where India achieved a groundbreaking feat by securing over 100 medals in a single edition of the event. Named after Arjuna, a prominent figure from the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, the award embodies values such as hard work, dedication, and concentration.
Arjuna Awards 2023: Women Athlete Winners Of The Prestigious Award
Sheetal Devi:
The 16-year-old world's first armless archer was the youngest to achieve the National Sports Awards with a phenomenal year as she won two gold medals at the Asian Para Games, a gold at the Para World Archery Championships, and a silver in the open women's compound archery event at the same championships.
Aditi Gopichand Swami:
A 17-year-old Indian archer is the first-ever individual world champion at the senior level, winning gold in the compound women's final at the 2023 World Archery and team gold and an individual bronze in the 2023 Asian Games, making her a young sensation in archery.
Esha Singh:
The shooting sensation of the country, Singh is the shooting prodigy who has taken the world by storm with her exceptional precision and focus. Her clutch performances in major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, and the Paris Olympics qualifier, have earned her a well-deserved Arjuna Award at just 19 years old.
Antim Panghal:
The 19-year-old rising star in Indian wrestling, Panghal, won a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi. She then went on to win the gold medal at the U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary. This made her the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the U-20 World Championships.
Parul Chaudhary:
This steeplechase queen has redefined endurance and determination on the track. Her relentless pursuit of excellence has seen her shatter national records and dominate regional competitions. Along with the only cricketer winning the Arjuna Awards, Indian bowler Mohommad Shami, Chaudhary was congratulated by UP CM Yogi Adityanath as well.
R. Vaishali:
A 22-year-old chess prodigy and sister of the acclaimed Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, has carved her own path to success. Her sharp mind and strategic brilliance have earned her numerous national and international titles, including a gold medal at the Asian Individual Chess Championship, making her the only grandmaster of the country along with her brother.
Prachi Yadav:
Yadav is an Indian para canoeist hailing from Gwalior, MP, who won a gold medal in the KL2 event and a silver medal in the VL2 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in paracanoe at the Asian Para Games.
Divyakriti Singh:
Singh is a 23-year-old Indian equestrian dynamo who won a gold medal in the team event in Equestrian Dressage at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. She made history as she became the only woman selected for the Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in the realm of Equestrian.
Diksha Dagar:
A 23-year-old left-handed para-golfer from Haryana, has already established herself as a rising star in the sport-winning awards, representing the country at the Tokyo Olympics, and is currently playing to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Her dedication, consistent performances, and numerous victories at the amateur and professional levels have cemented her place among the future champions of Indian golf.
Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu:
A true legend of Indian hockey, Sushila Chanu, hailing from Imphal, Manipur, has been a rock at the back for the national team for over a decade. Her leadership, defensive prowess, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in India's recent resurgence in the sport.
Naorem Roshiba Devi:
23-year-old Wushu star Roshiba Devi, along with Sushila Chanu, made the powerhouse of sports in Manipur and the entire northeast of the nation proud with her stellar performance as she bagged two silver and one gold medals for the nation at several international Wushu championships.
Nasreen Shaikh:
The 25-year-old Kho-Kho powerhouse of the country and captain of the National Kho-Kho Team, is the second-ever kho-kho player to have been felicitated with honorary Arjuna Awards for excellence in not-so-common and indigenous sport of kho-kho and clenching golds at Asian Kho-Kho Games 2023 and South Asian Games in 2019.
Ritu Negi:
This Kabaddi powerhouse hailing from the small town of Shillai, Himachal Pradesh, has been a dominant force in both the Pro Kabaddi League and as the captain of the National Kabaddi team and has clenched many medals for the country, winning gold at the Asian Games 2023 held in China. Her agility, powerful raids, and exceptional leadership skills have made her a true inspiration for aspiring Kabaddi players across the country.
Ayhika Mukherjee:
The shining star of table tennis hailing from West Bengal, has carved her niche in the doubles category. Her exceptional partnership with Sutirtha Mukherjee has yielded numerous medals, including a historic bronze at the Asian Games 2023 creating a golden moment in China, which made them a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
Pinki Singh:
A legend in the niche sport of Lawn Bowls, Pinki has rewritten the record books with her consistent podium finishes. Her dedication and skill have not only brought her individual glory but also propelled India to the forefront of the sport globally.
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