The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented the Arjuna Award to a number of sportpersons on Tuesday at Rashtrapati Bhawan, including wrestler Antim Panghal, bowler Mohammed Shami, and archers Ojas Pravin Deotale, Sheetal Devi, and Aditi Gopichand Swami.The Arjuna Award, the second-highest athletic accolade in India, is granted for demonstrating leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline along with good performance over the course of the preceding four years.President Droupadi Murmu presents the Arjuna Award 2023 to Mohammad Shami for his excellent performance.#NationalSportsAwards2023 @MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/m0NHOnvdG8— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) January 9, 2024The Arjuna Awards for 2023 have been given to a total of 17 athletes, including the speedster Shami, who shattered multiple records and finished as the top wicket-taker in the ICC Cricket World Cup in India last year with 24 scalps.Shami, a day prior to the ceremony, expressed happiness for the coveted accolade and said even after many years of hard work, people are not able to win this award.Arjuna Award 2023 has been also presented to Sheetal Devi for her excellent performance in Para Archery.President Droupadi Murmu presents the Arjuna Award 2023 to Sheetal Devi for her excellent performance in Para Archery.#NationalSportsAwards2023 @Sheetal_archery pic.twitter.com/SFSSy8vv99— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) January 9, 2024Heres the list of other awardees:Pawan Sehrawat - KabaddiRitu Negi - KabaddiVaishali Rameshbabu - ChessMurali Sreeshankar - AthleticsParul Chaudhary - AthleticsKrishan Pathak - HockeySushila Chanu - HockeySunil Kumar - WrestlingAntim Panghal - WrestlingAditi Swami - ArcheryOjas Pravin Deotale - ArcheryAyhika Mukherjee - Table TennisMohammad Hussamuddin - BoxingEsha Singh - ShootingAishwary Pratap Singh Tomar - ShootingNaorem Roshibina Devi - WushuDiksha Dagar - GolfHarinder Pal Sandhu - Squash
