Apart from cricketers, several male athletes have performed brilliantly for India in various games
The month of August is incredibly special for India, as it marks 79 years since the country achieved its freedom from the British Raj on August 15, 1947. In these 79 years, India has become a dominant country in one particular sport: cricket. The sport has given birth to several legends, including Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and others.
However, India has also done decently in other sports, ranging from athletics to hockey. Therefore, it is equally essential to celebrate the men from sports other than cricket. After all, there’s no doubt that India is a diverse nation in terms of sports, and in 79 years, the country has come a long way.
The first man ever to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics in a track and field event – javelin. In recent times, Chopra is the only athlete who has achieved stardom and fame similar to that of cricketers, which fills our hearts with joy because India has finally learnt to celebrate non-cricket sportspeople.
(Credit- Britannica)
Securing a gold medal in the 10m air rifle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Abhinav Bindra was the first Indian to win a gold in an individual event. Credit must also be given to Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who started the shooting trend with his silver medal in the 2004 Olympics.
Although India is not a prominent football-playing nation, and the country’s current situation is dire, Sunil Chhetri has taken the nation to new heights with his numerous goals. Chhetri presently stands as the fourth-highest international goal scorer in the world with 95 goals in 155 matches.
A sprinter of the highest order, Milka Singh was known as ‘The Flying Sikh’, who had won numerous medals in various events. Unfortunately, he missed an Olympic medal by a few millimetres but remains an inspiration to all the budding Olympians.
Known as the ‘Father of Indian Hockey’, Major Dhyan Chand was a phenomen
al hockey player who led the team to three Olympic gold medals. Unfortunately, all three medals were won before India gained independence.
(Credit- The Bridge)
KD Jadhav was the first Indian to win an individual medal for India at the 1952 Olympics. However, India did not win an individual medal for 44 years until 1996, when Leander Paes won India’s first medal, a bronze, in tennis.
(Credit - The Bridge)
The man who started the chess revolution, Viswanathan Anand, became the first grandmaster from India in 1988, following which he won the World Chess Championship five times. Young legends like Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh Dommaraju are taking the baton forward for India.
(Credit- T2 Online)
Even in 2025, the majority of Indians aren’t even aware of billiards. However, years ago, Pankaj Advani solidified India’s name on the billiards circuit, winning the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) world championship 27 times.
There are so many other male athletes who have achieved multiple accolades for India in various sports. Unfortunately, given that they are not cricketers, they are not celebrated enough, and they do not even ask for it. The least India can do for them is to remember them in this month of August, when India celebrates its 79th Independence Day.
