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, 2024
A Dream Realized: Shami's Inspirational Journey
Shami’s journey to the Arjuna Award was nothing short of a fairy tale. Initially sidelined in the World Cup, he entered the playing XI after Hardik Pandya’s unfortunate ankle injury. Seizing the opportunity, Shami left an indelible mark with a remarkable five-wicket haul against New Zealand. The pacer’s extraordinary form continued, culminating in a total of 24 wickets, outshining even the renowned Jasprit Bumrah.
“I am happy that I have been nominated for this award. It is like a dream for me to get this award because my whole life I have seen many people receiving this award,” expressed an elated Mohammed Shami ahead of the award ceremony.
Injury Challenges
Amidst the accolades, Shami acknowledged the challenges of battling injuries. Despite being ruled out of the recent South Africa Test series, he remains determined to make a swift comeback. “Injury is part of the game. Fans and the public’s love is very important. We are trying our best to make a comeback soon… good for our team and good for us too,” Shami affirmed, showcasing his resilience.
Arjuna Awardees Shine in Asian Games 2023
Shami was one of the 26 athletes honored with the Arjuna Award, a recognition for their outstanding performances in 2023. Notably, the list was dominated by athletes from the Asian Games 2023 in China. India’s unprecedented success in the competition witnessed a record-breaking tally of 107 medals, surpassing the previous best of 70 achieved in the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games.
The historic achievement in Hangzhou included a breathtaking final day, where India secured an astonishing total of 12 medals – 6 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze. This remarkable feat propelled India’s overall tally to over 100 for the first time in the history of the competition.
Arjuna Award: A Coveted Recognition
The Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honor after the Khel Ratna Award, symbolizes the nation’s acknowledgment of exceptional sporting achievements. President Murmu, in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, bestowed the awards upon 26 deserving athletes, including Shami.
