Who Run The World: Indian Female Medallists At The Olympics

We take a look at all the Indian women who clinched some serious hardware at the Olympics over the years.

August 19, 2016

PV Sindhu became the first Indian athlete to reach Badminton finals at the Olympics and now she prepares to take on world no. 1 Carolina Marin in the summit clash scheduled for this evening.

PV Sindhu’s semi-final win was celebrated on the same day as the feisty Sakshi Malik delivered the country’s first medal (bronze, wrestling, women’s freestyle, 58 kg) this Olympics. Not to forget Indian gymnast Dipa Karmarkar, who missed the bronze by a whisker after her magnificent Produnova stunned the world. These are commendable achievements amid news of irresponsibility and callous behaviour from the Indian contingent, led by Sports Minister Vijay Goel.

Here’s taking a look at all the great women who have done us proud:

Karnam Malleshwari

This Indian weightlifter became the first woman to win an Olympic medal (bronze, weightlifting, women’s 69 kg) at the 2000 Olympics. She has also been awarded the Padma Shri (1999) and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1995), which is India’s highest sporting honour.

Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom

This boxer from Manipur qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she competed in the women’s flyweight category (51 kg) and brought home the bronze.

Saina Nehwal

This badminton player has represented the country at the Olympics thrice and won the bronze for women’s singles at London in 2012. She has also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and the Arjuna Award.