Mizoram's Lalremsiami Honored with Arjuna Award for Hockey Excellence
Lalremsiami's Historic Achievement
President Droupadi Murmu formally presented the award to her
Aizawl, Nov 13: Lalremsiami Hmar, an accomplished Indian women's hockey player and Olympian, has made history by becoming the first athlete from Mizoram to be awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award.
The award was presented to her by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday.
At just 26 years old, she was one of the 17 athletes recognized with the Arjuna Award 2025 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on August 18.
Originating from Kolasib in northern Mizoram, close to the Assam border, Lalremsiami began her hockey journey at a young age. Her potential was recognized by her teachers, Lallawmawmi, Lalrampari, and Lalrothuami, who motivated her to pursue the sport.
In 2011, she joined the state-run hockey academy in Thenzawl at the age of 11, later moving to the National Hockey Academy in New Delhi in 2016.
Lalremsiami made her national debut at the Junior Nehru Hockey Tournament in October 2011 and was subsequently selected for India's Under-18 team for the Asian Cup in 2016.
She received her first call-up to the senior national team in 2017 and contributed to India's victory in the Asia Cup that same year.
Since then, she has become a vital player for the national team, representing India in numerous international competitions, including the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where the team secured a fourth-place finish.
Her dedication to the national team was particularly notable in 2019 when she chose to stay with the squad for the FIH Women's Series in Japan, despite the passing of her father, Lalthansanga Zote. India won the tournament, which qualified them for the Tokyo Olympics, making her the first woman from Mizoram to compete at the Games.
In 2020, she was honored as the first Indian woman hockey player to receive the International Hockey Federation's Women's Rising Star of the Year award.
Her accolades also include a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games, titles in the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023 and 2024, and a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Mizoram government previously announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for Lalremsiami and fellow Mizo player Lalthantluangi for their contributions to India's women's hockey team, which clinched gold at the Asian Games on October 2.