New Delhi: India's athletics stars Tejaswin Shankar and Priyanka Goswami, along with shooter Akhil Sheoran, were among several sportspersons honoured with the Arjuna Award by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
Several Indian athletes and coaches are receiving their National Sports Awards from the President at a ceremony in the national capital.
The National Sports Awards are presented every year to recognise excellence in sports. Based on the recommendations of a selection committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, the government has decided to confer awards on sportspersons, coaches and organisations across various categories.
Indian decathlon and high jump athlete Tejaswin Shankar, who won bronze medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya this year, was presented with the award by President Murmu.
In a post on X, the President's official handle said, “President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award, 2025 to Shri Tejaswin Shankar for his outstanding achievements in athletics. Shri Tejaswin Shankar has won medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Asian Athletics Championships held in Bangkok and Gumi.”
Race walker Priyanka Goswami, a silver medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was also honoured with the award.
“President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award, 2025 to Ms. Priyanka Goswami for her outstanding achievements in athletics. Ms. Priyanka Goswami has won medals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Bangkok Asian Athletics Championships,” the President's official X handle said.
Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi, a 400-metre specialist who won gold and silver medals in the men's and mixed 4x400-metre relay events, respectively, at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, also received the award.
“President Droupadi Murmu confers Arjuna Award, 2025 on Shri Muhammed Ajmal V. in recognition of his outstanding achievements in Athletics. Shri Muhammed Ajmal V. has won medals in relay events at prestigious international competitions, including the Asian Games and Asian Athletics Championship,” the post said.
Boxer Narender, an Asian Games medallist and Asian Boxing Championships medallist, was another recipient.
“President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award, 2025 to Shri Narender for his outstanding achievements in boxing. Shri Narender won medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Amman ASBC Asian Boxing Championships,” the President's official handle said.
Shooter Akhil Sheoran, an Asian Games and World Championships gold medallist, also received the award. He most recently won silver at the 2025 Asian Championships and bronze at the World Championships in Doha this year.
“President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award, 2025 to Shri Akhil Sheoran for his outstanding achievements in shooting. Shri Akhil Sheoran has won medals at the ISSF World Championship in Baku, the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Asian Shooting Championships in Changwon and Jakarta,” the post said.
Rowing athlete Arvind Singh, known for his medal-winning performances at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and the Asian Rowing Championships, was also recognised.
“President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award, 2025 to Shri Arvind Singh for outstanding achievements in sailing. Shri Arvind Singh has won medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Asian Rowing Championships,” the President's official X handle said.
The Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in sports and games is given for consistent performance over the previous four years, along with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.
The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) is presented to sportspersons who have contributed to sports through their performances and continued to promote sports even after retiring from active competition.
Former Indian footballer and coach Arumainayagam will receive the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) in football.
The Dronacharya Award recognises coaches for their consistent and outstanding work in helping sportspersons excel in international competitions.
Parveer Singh (athletics), Chhote Lal Yadav (boxing) and Neha Nandkumar Chavan (shooting) will receive the Dronacharya Award in the regular category. Dharmendra Singh Yadav (boxing) and Virender Kumar (wrestling) will be honoured in the lifetime category.
The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is presented to corporate entities, both public and private, and non-governmental organisations that have played a significant role in promoting and developing sports.
The Army Paralympic Node, Pune, will receive the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar.
(With inputs from ANI)