Know About The Five Arjuna Award winners from Assam

The Arjuna Award is India's second-highest sporting honor, initiated in 1961 to recognize exceptional achievements in sports. Presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the award has been bestowed upon five distinguished athletes from Assam over the years.

Bhogeswar Baruah

Bhogeswar Baruah holds the distinction of being the first recipient of the Arjuna Award from Assam, which he received in 1966. His remarkable performance earned him a gold medal in the 800 meters race at the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games. To honor his contribution to sports, Assam celebrates his birthday on September 3 each year, known as Abhiruchi Sports Day.

Monalisa Baruah Mehta

The second Assamese athlete to receive the Arjuna Award is Monalisa Baruah Mehta, an accomplished table tennis player, honored in 1987. Monalisa, who is married to fellow table tennis star Kamlesh Mehta, was a 12-time state champion and an 8-time national table tennis champion.

Jayanta Talukdar

In 2006, ace archer Jayanta Talukdar became the third sportsperson from Assam to receive the Arjuna Award, following in the footsteps of Bhogeswar Baruah and Monalisa Baruah Mehta. Talukdar also represented India at the 2012 London Olympics as part of the men’s recurve archery team.

Shiva Thapa

World Championships bronze medalist Shiva Thapa became the fourth Assamese athlete to be honored with the Arjuna Award in 2016. Thapa, a talented boxer, was the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics, participating in the 2012 London Olympics. In 2016, he was the only boxer recommended for the Arjuna Award.