A young hockey player from Mizoram has just etched her name into the sporting history of the state.

Lalremsiami Hmar, the Olympian from Kolasib, has been selected for the Arjuna Award 2025, becoming the first sportsperson from Mizoram to receive the prestigious national sporting honour.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced Lalremsiami among 17 sportspersons selected for the award. The honour will be presented by the President of India at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

For Mizoram, however, this is more than another sporting accolade. It is a landmark moment for a state that has long produced talented athletes and footballers, but has never before seen one of its sportspersons receive the Arjuna Award.

From Kolasib to the Olympic Stage

Born on March 30, 2000, in Kolasib, Lalremsiami began a journey that would eventually take her from a small town in Mizoram to the biggest stage in world sport. She made her senior international debut in 2017 and quickly established herself as an important member of the Indian women’s hockey team.

Her breakthrough on the global stage came when she represented India at the 2018 World Cup and later helped the team win silver at the Asian Games. That achievement also made her the first sportsperson from Mizoram to win an Asian Games medal.

Then came another historic milestone. In 2021, Lalremsiami was selected for India’s squad at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first female sportsperson from Mizoram to represent the country at the Olympic Games. India’s women’s hockey team produced a memorable campaign, reaching the semifinals and finishing fourth.

A Career Filled With Milestones

Lalremsiami’s international journey has continued to gather momentum. She has represented India at the World Cup, Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy, winning silver at the 2018 Asian Games and bronze in 2022. She was also part of India’s victorious Asian Champions Trophy campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

Her record includes contributions to India’s campaigns at the 2017 Women’s Asia Cup and FIH Hockey Nations Cup as well.

An Inspiration for a New Generation

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma described the recognition as a moment of “great pride and immense joy”, praising Lalremsiami’s dedication, perseverance and contribution to Indian hockey. The honour now adds another historic chapter to her remarkable journey.

From Kolasib to the Olympics, and now to the Arjuna Award, Lalremsiami’s story is more than a tale of sporting success. Her Arjuna Award is more than a personal triumph—it is a proud new milestone for Mizoram and an inspiration for young athletes across the Northeast.