Despite India being a male-dominated country, these women athletes battled great odds to represent and win accolades for India
Indian sports have come a long way in 79 years since the nation gained independence from the British regime in August. However, when it comes to women in sports, the country has not achieved much success, given that society has traditionally been male-dominated, even today.
However, a handful of women battled great odds and broke stereotypes to represent India in various sports. Unfortunately, given that they are women and also the fact that most are not cricketers, they are rarely remembered by the majority.
Therefore, this Independence Day, we have taken it upon ourselves to pay them a tribute because they deserve a special shoutout from all of India.
Known as the ‘Queen’ of Indian track and field, P.T. Usha was a legendary runner in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, she could not win an Olympic medal, but she was one of the first women athletes to make headlines, not only in India but also in other countries where she had participated.
Karnam Malleswari was the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal for India, at the 2000 Sydney Games. She inspired millions of Indian women to take up athletics as a career. In 2020, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu became the second woman to win a medal in weightlifting.
(Credit- Olympics.com)
If you watched ‘Dangal’, you know the story of the Phogat sisters who earned immense success in the field of wrestling. The sisters have won several accolades, including medals in the Commonwealth Games.
(Credit- Olympics.com)
Among the few women athletes who need no introduction, Saina Nehwal was the first Indian woman to win a medal in badminton at the Olympics. Later, P.V. Sindhu followed Nehwal’s path and won two medals in the Olympics.
Another great who needs no introduction, Mary Kom, revolutionised boxing in India with her bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics. Lovlina Borgohain also secured a bronze medal for India in the welterweight segment at the 2021 Olympics.
(Credit- Olympics.com)
Sakshi Mallik is the only woman from India to have won a medal in wrestling for India in the Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the 58 kg freestyle at the 2016 Olympics.
In shooting, Manu Bhaker secured two back-to-back bronzes in the 2024 Olympics, scripting history for the country. She won a medal in an individual event and another in a mixed event.
(Credit- Vogue India)
A veteran archer, Deepika Kumari, is a legendary name in world archery. Kumari has won over 30 medals across various tournaments, including the World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. Aged 31, Deepika now hopes to win an Olympic medal, the only medal missing from her cabinet.
From multiple gold medals in the Commonwealth Games to the South Asian Games, Manika Batra is a decorated table tennis player who has put India on the world table tennis map. She was also the first woman to win a medal in the Asian Games.
(Credit- Olympics.com)
In a nation where the majority doesn’t know about fencing, C. A. Bhavani Devi battled all odds to win two gold medals in the Commonwealth Games and several more medals in other competitions.
There are several other women athletes, such as Jwala Gutta, Hima Das, and Rani Rampal, among others, who have brought laurels to India. However, they have faded into oblivion. But this Independence Day, let us take a pledge to celebrate every Indian athlete, irrespective of the sport, not just cricket.
