A day dedicated to celebrating sporting excellence in India, December 20th saw the announcement of the prestigious Arjuna Awards and Khel Ratna for 2023. This year’s list shines bright with exceptional achievements, recognizing heroes across various disciplines.
Shami’s Stellar Year Eclipsed by World Cup Brilliance:
At the forefront of the awardees stands Mohammed Shami, the veteran pacer who spearheaded India’s bowling attack in the recent ODI World Cup. Though initially playing backup to Bumrah and Siraj, Shami seized his opportunity after Hardik Pandya’s injury. From there, it was an unstoppable ride.
Despite featuring in just seven matches, Shami emerged as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with a stunning 24 scalps. His electrifying performance cemented him as India’s top wicket-taker in the prestigious event.
This phenomenal feat, coupled with a stellar year overall, has earned Shami the coveted Arjuna Award, a well-deserved recognition for his dedication and contribution to Indian cricket.
Shami isn’t alone in basking in this year’s sporting glory. The list features 25 other deserving athletes across diverse disciplines, highlighting the rich tapestry of Indian sporting talent. Some notable mentions include:
Sushila Chanu (hockey) and Pawan Kumar (kabaddi), both veterans who have consistently delivered excellence in their respective domains.
Rising stars like Ayhika Mukherjee (table tennis), Sunil Kumar (wrestling), and Naorem Roshibina Devi (wushu), showcasing the future of Indian sports.
Satwik-Chirag Soar to Khel Ratna Glory
Badminton enthusiasts have another reason to rejoice! The dynamic duo of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have been conferred the Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour in India. Their relentless pursuit of excellence and consistent podium finishes on the international stage have truly deserved this recognition.
A Celebration of Grit and Determination
This year’s list is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Indian athletes who push boundaries and chase excellence against all odds. From Shami’s World Cup heroics to Satwik-Chirag’s meteoric rise, each award tells a story of dedication, perseverance, and a burning passion for sports.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2023
Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (badminton)
Arjuna Awards for 2023
Ojas Pravin Deotale (archery)
Aditi Gopichand Swami (archery)
Murali Sreeshankar (athletics)
Parul Chaudhary (athletics)
Mohammed Hussamuddin (boxing)
R Vaishali (chess)
Mohammed Shami (cricket)
Anush Agarwalla (equestrian)
Divyakriti Singh (equestrian dressage)
Diksha Dagar (golf)
Krishan Bahadur Pathak (hockey)
Sushila Chanu (hockey)
Pawan Kumar (kabaddi)
Ritu Negi (kabaddi)
Nasreen (kho-kho)
Pinki (lawn bowls)
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (shooting)
Esha Singh (shooting)
Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (squash)
Ayhika Mukherjee (table tennis)
Sunil Kumar (wrestling)
Antim (wrestling)
Naorem Roshibina Devi (wushu)
Sheetal Devi (para archery)
Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (blind cricket)
Prachi Yadav (para canoeing)
Dronacharya Awards for 2023
Lalit Kumar (wrestling)
RB Ramesh (chess)
Mahaveer Prasad Saini (para athletics)
Shivendra Singh (hockey)
Ganesh Prabhakar Devrukhkar (mallakhamb)
Dronacharya Awards (Lifetime Category) for 2023
Jaskirat Singh Grewal (golf)
Bhaskaran E (kabaddi)
Jayanta Kumar Pushilal (table tennis)
Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement for 2023
Manjusha Kanwar (badminton)
Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey)
Kavitha Selvaraj (kabaddi)
So, let us raise a toast to these champions, the ones who inspire us with their performances and prove that dreams, with hard work and unwavering spirit, can indeed be transformed into reality.