An O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. O-1 visas are generally reserved for individuals who have received a significant amount of national or international recognition in their field of expertise, such as through awards or prizes.
That being said, it is possible to qualify for an O-1 visa without having received awards, but it may be more challenging to do so. In order to qualify for an O-1 visa without awards, you would need to provide evidence of your extraordinary ability through other means, such as letters of recommendation from experts in your field, published articles or research, or other documentation of your achievements and contributions to your field.
It is important to note that the O-1 visa is a highly competitive and selective category, and it is generally reserved for individuals who are at the very top of their field.