Indian sports have undergone a big change for women athletes, since the early 2000s. It all started at the Sydney 2000 Olympics where Karnam Malleswari made history. She became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal getting bronze in weightlifting. Her success motivated many young women making them believe they could also do well on the world stage.
After Malleswari, a new group of athletes came up. This included stars like MC Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, and Sania Mirza. Each of them broke barriers and set records in their own sports.
Let’s take a glance at the Indian female athletes who inspired millions of people.
Saina Nehwal made history at the London 2012 Olympics. She became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton. Her bronze had an influence on the dreams of young athletes. She went on to win many titles, including medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games. “I want to be the best; it’s about consistency,” she says.
Mary Kom, a six-time world champion in boxing, faced doubt in a male-dominated sport. Her drive led her to prove her critics wrong. She earned Olympic honors and inspired many young female boxers. Despite setbacks, she remains a strong force in Indian sports.
PV Sindhu has made her mark in Olympic history by securing medals in both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games. Her constant hard work and concentration, as she puts it, “The greatest asset is a strong mind,” have cemented her place as an example to follow in badminton, along with Nehwal.
Sakshi Malik paved the way for female wrestlers by clinching bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics becoming the first Indian woman to pull off this achievement. Her toughness and self-confidence helped her through challenging times motivating upcoming generations of wrestlers.
Sania Mirza came back to tennis after becoming a mother showing her toughness and love for the game. She won many titles, including a Fed Cup playoff proving women can excel in sports while raising kids.
Mirabai Chanu changed weightlifting in India. She won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and several world titles. She wants to encourage young girls to try weightlifting. She sees herself as a guide in a sport where women are just starting to make their mark.
Manu Bhaker, the youngest Indian shooting star, grabbed attention at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning two bronze medals. Her climb from holding national records to winning Olympic medals shows how talented and determined she is.
The outlook for Indian women in sports shines , with athletes such as Lovlina Borgohain, who grabbed a bronze in boxing at Tokyo 2020, and promising track and field talents like Jyothi Yarraji and Priyanka Goswami making progress in their fields.
As more women athletes grab the spotlight, they don’t just chase personal success but also motivate the upcoming generation proving that with hard work and self-belief, women in Indian sports can achieve great heights.