Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has praised 18-year-old chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa for becoming the runners-up in the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023. Neeraj said that he is very proud of Praggnanandhaa as the Indian prodigy played very well against Magnus Carlsen at such a young age.

Also Read: Chess World Cup 2023: Praggnanandhaa loses to Magnus Carlsen in the tiebreaker

Neeraj Chopra is currently competing in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. He qualifies for the javelin throw final with a massive throw of 88.77m. Before going to the javelin throw event, he gave this bite to the reporters. He is also proud for the Chandrayan 3.

Question to Neeraj- do you take inspiration from Chandrayaan Mission?
Neeraj- Yes. All Indians are proud of ISRO. Also very proud of Praggnanandhaa. He played very well against Magnus Carlsen pic.twitter.com/uU4LeCQOoO

— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) August 25, 2023

Also Read: World Athletics Championships 2023: Neeraj Chopra enters final with a throw of 88.77m; qualifies for the Paris 2024

Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa's remarkable journey ended with a final defeat as he finished as the runner-up at the 2023 Chess World Cup in Azerbaijan's Baku, after losing the tiebreaks against Magnus Carlsen. Earlier the two played out draws in the two classical games. The 18-year-old Indian grandmaster lost the match 7-5, but his performance was praised by many as a sign of his immense talent.

Though Praggnanandhaa could not beat Carlsen, he has his chin up as he defeated many high-ranked opponents on his way to the finals, including world no. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and no. 3 Fabiano Caruana. Praggnanandhaa also secured a ticket to the FIDE Candidates tournament that will start from April 2 to 25, 2024, in Toronto, Canada by winning the silver medal.

19-year-old Divya Deshmukh has won the FIDE Women’s World Cup title. She won this title by defeating India's Koneru Humpy in the tie-break round in the final. By becoming the world champion, she has also become India's 88th Grandmaster.

Also Read: Divya Deshmukh Becomes First Indian Champion of FIDE Women's World Cup After Dramatic Tiebreak Victory

India's 4th female Grandmaster

Divya, originally from Nagpur (Maharashtra), became India’s fourth female Grandmaster after Humpy, Harika Dronavalli and R. Vaishali and the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup, securing her GM title. She is also the 44th female to get a Grandmaster title.

Divya beats some heavyweights

Divya handed defeats to some of the biggest names in the chess fraternity for the biggest title of her career. The 2024 World Junior Champion beat the likes of Zhu Jiner, Harika, and former World Champion Tan Zhongyi to come through a very tough bracket before beating India No. 1 Humpy.

Also Read: Divya Deshmukh Becomes First Indian Champion of FIDE Women's World Cup After Dramatic Tiebreak Victory

13th Grandmaster from Maharashtra

Divya didn’t have a single GM norm ahead of the World Cup, nor did she meet the required rating (a standard 2500) to be eligible for the coveted title but her World Cup win helped her circumvent all the usual FIDE requirements as she becomes the latest Grandmaster of India, and the 13th from Maharashtra.

Indian Chess Grandmasters Full List

India has produced a total of 88 GMs, with the addition of Divya, ranking fifth in the world in terms of the sheer number of GMs produced per country.

Also Read: List of Chess World Champions from 1886 to 2024

Let's have a look at the 88 Indian Chess Grandmasters list.

Divya Deshmukh has made history by defeating fellow Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in the tiebreaks of the FIDE Women’s World Cup Final, becoming the first-ever Indian champion of this prestigious tournament. The 19-year-old prodigy clinched the title with a score of 2.5-1.5 in a gripping rapid tiebreak series, marking a groundbreaking milestone in Indian chess.

The championship match between Deshmukh and Humpy delivered high drama, with both players tied 1-1 after two classical games. This set the stage for rapid tiebreaks — two games with a 10-minute clock and a 10-second increment per move.

• Rapid Game 1: With the white pieces, Divya pressed hard from the start, forcing Humpy to spend time on defence. Despite a tense exchange and a late blunder, the contest ended in a draw after both players navigated a complex queen endgame.

• Rapid Game 2: The pressure mounted as Humpy faced severe time trouble, and Deshmukh capitalised on a late mistake to tip the balance. After a string of accurate moves, Divya forced resignation on move 75, securing a historic win and the championship crown.

Read Also: List of Chess World Champions from 1886 to 2024

Record-Breaking Feats

Both Deshmukh and Humpy had already created history by reaching the final — the first time two Indian women have contested for the title in this event. With her triumph, Divya not only claimed the trophy and $50,000 in prize money, but she will also be promoted to Grandmaster, becoming India's 88th GM.

Read Also: 9-year-old Aarit Kapil becomes the youngest Indian chess player to defeat Grandmaster

How the Final Unfolded

India has had many Olympic heroes, but when the conversation turns to the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) among Indian Olympians, two names dominate - Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra. Both have made history in their own right, but who truly deserves the GOAT crown? Let's compare them across several key dimensions.

Also Read: Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

Abhinav Bindra vs Neeraj Chopra: Olympic Achievement

Abhinav Bindra

• Gold Medal - 2008 Beijing Olympics (10m Air Rifle)
• India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist
• Participated in five Olympics (2000–2016)

Abhinav Bindra will forever hold a place in sporting history as India's first individual gold medallist at the Olympics. The gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle at Beijing 2008 was the crowning glory in Abhinav Bindra's stellar sporting career.

Neeraj Chopra

• Gold Medal - 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Javelin Throw)
• India’s first Olympic medal in athletics, and only the second individual gold
• Silver Medal - 2024 Paris Olympics (Javelin Throw)

Despite his young age, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has already etched his name in the history books by becoming the first and only track and field athlete from the country to win an Olympic medal, that too a gold.

Chopra’s gold medal at Tokyo 2020 was also India’s second individual Olympic gold medal after shooter Abhinav Bindra’s 10m air rifle glory at Beijing 2008.

In 2024 Paris Games, Chopra once again made India proud at the Olympics, this time securing a Silver medal in the men's javelin throw event. Neeraj did this with his season-best throw of 89.45m.

Also Read: Timeline: India’s rise at the Olympics

Abhinav Bindra vs Neeraj Chopra: Global Achievement

Abhinav Bindra

• Former World Champion (2006) in 10m air rifle
• Consistently ranked among the best shooters globally
• Known for scientific precision and longevity in his sport

Bindra holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship gold in air rifle shooting.

Over his two-decade-long career, Bindra won over 150 individual medals, earning recognition as one of India’s greatest sports icons. His exceptional service to sport was further acknowledged when he was awarded the Blue Cross in 2018, the highest honour by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

Neeraj Chopra

• World Champion (2023) in javelin - the only Indian to win both Olympic and World Championship gold
• Also won Asian Games and Diamond League titles
• Still active and dominating a highly competitive field

Even looking beyond the medals and major wins, Neeraj Chopra’s numbers speak for themselves. Since 2012, Neeraj Chopra has appeared in finals over 76 different javelin throw competitions, both in India and abroad, and won a whopping 42 of them outright.

Also Read: Most medals by an Indian in a single Olympics

Neeraj Chopra’s best throw, a national record, measures 90.23m and came at the Doha Diamond League in 2025.

India's journey in Olympic Games began in 1900, but for many decades, success was limited. The nation's presence on the medal tally was defined by mostly one or two medals per edition, with the success of the Men's Hockey teams being the main reason for it.

However, the 21st century marked a turning point, as it saw India's rise at the Olympics. Their success at the Games picked up pace in several new ways.

Check out the full article to see how India's journey transformed:

1996-2008: Individual medals emerge

After years of triumph in Men's Hockey, 1996 Atlanta Olympics saw a change for India, as Leander Paes won a Bronze medal in Tennis. This victory brought in the first individual medal for India in Olympics after 44 years (previously: K.D. Jadhav won in 1952 in Wrestling).

Following this breakthrough, other individual athletes began to make their mark. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Karnam Malleswari made history with her Bronze medal win in Weightlifting, and became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal.

Moving to the next edition, the 2004 Athens Olympics saw another individual triumph, with a Silver medal this time. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore brought home India's first-ever medal in Shooting, laying the groundwork for India's extended talent pool beyond hockey.

In 2008, the momentum continued with Abhinav Bindra's Gold (Shooting), Vijender Singh's Bronze (Boxing), and Sushil Kumar's Bronze medal (Wrestling) in the same edition.

Read Also: Most medals by an Indian in a single Olympics

2012: Six Medals and India's Olympic Rise

The 2012 London Olympics was a truly historic moment for India. For the first time ever, India secured six individual medals in a single Olympic edition, that too in five different sports. This was not just a jump in numbers, but a clear rise for India in the Olympic Games.

Here, take a closer look at the medalists:

Gagan Narang: Bronze Medal in Shooting

Gagan Narang won India's first medal at London 2012, taking bronze in the men's 10m Air Rifle event with a final score of 701.1. He opened the medal books for India in this historic edition.

Sushil Kumar: Silver medal in Wrestling

Sushil Kumar became the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals (previously in 2008), securing silver in the men's 66kg freestyle wrestling after a hard-fought tournament.

Saina Nehwal: Bronze medal in Badminton

Saina Nehwal earned India's first-ever Olympic medal in Badminton, securing a bronze in Women's singles. With this victory, she also became the second woman, after Malleswari, to win a medal at the grandest stage.

Yogeshwar Dutt: Bronze medal in Wrestling

Yogeshwar Dutt overcame injuries and fought through brilliantly in the men's 60kg freestyle wrestling to secure a bronze medal.

Mary Kom: Bronze medal in Boxing

In the debut of women's boxing at the Olympics, Mary Kom won a bronze in the flyweight (51kg) category, making her the first Indian woman boxer to achieve this milestone.

Vijay Kumar: Silver medal in Shooting

Vijay Kumar clinched silver in the men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, finishing behind Cuba's Leuris Pupo.

Read Also: Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

2016-2024: Sustaining the momentum in India's modern Olympic era

India has consistently built upon its Olympic success since 2012, with athletes dominating in different categories of sports. The period from 2016 to 2024 has seen new talents emerge and solidify India's rise on the global stage.

India, a nation with a rich history and diverse culture, has made significant strides in the world of sports over the years. While cricket often dominates the headlines, India’s achievements in the Olympic Games have also brought huge pride to the country. From the early days of independence to recent successes, Indian athletes have showed their talent and determination on the grandest stage of all – the Olympics.

Also Read: 10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

In this article, we will take a look at some of best Indian performances in Olympic history.

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

10. Karnam Malleswari – Bronze Medal in Weightlifting (2000 Sydney Olympics)

Karnam Malleswari’s bronze medal in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was a historic achievement for India, as she became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal.

Competing in the 69 kg weight category, Malleswari lifted a total of 240 kg (110 kg in snatch and 130 kg in clean and jerk) to secure the bronze medal. She is also the first Indian weightlifter (male or female) to win an Olympic medal.

9. Lovlina Borgohain | Bronze, Boxing (Tokyo 2020, Welterweight)

At Tokyo 2020, Lovlina Borgohain won bronze in the women’s welterweight category (69kg) to become the third Indian boxer with an Olympic medal, following in the footsteps of Mary Kom and Vijender Singh.

With an Olympic bronze and gold medals at the world and Asian championships, Lovlina Borgohain has carried forward the legacy of women in Indian boxing that was founded by the legendary Mary Kom.

8. Ravi Dahiya | Silver, Wrestling (Tokyo 2020, 57kg)

Ravi Kumar Dahiya clinched silveredal in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. With it, the then 23-year-old Ravi is the sixth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the Games and only the second to bag a silver after Sushil Kumar.

Ravi fell short of winning an Olympic gold medal following a 7-4 loss to Zaur Uguev of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

7. Sushil Kumar | Bronze (Beijing 2008), Silver (London 2012), Wrestling

Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar has never let the odds slow him down. A three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and a former World Wrestling Championships winner, Sushil Kumar earned most of his stripes defying the odds on the back of his iron will. And, perhaps, the best case studies of his dogged perseverance are Sushil Kumar’s Olympic medals – a bronze at the 2008 Beijing and a silver at the 2012 London Games.

While the London silver put him in the history books as the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals, the bronze at Beijing was a significant milestone for Indian wrestling as a whole.

6. PV Sindhu | Silver (Rio 2016) & Bronze (Tokyo 2020), Badminton

PV Sindhu is the first woman from India ever to become a double Olympic medallist.

At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Sindhu put in a spirited fight in the final but ultimately ended up with the silver medal, a monumental effort that brought the world and India to its feet. Four years later, Sindhu left Tokyo 2020 having carved out a slice of history for her own by winning the bronze medal match against China's He Bing Jiao.

Also Read: Most medals by an Indian in a single Olympics

5. Leander Paes | Bronze, Tennis Singles (Atlanta 1996)

Leander Paes created history after beating Brazilian Fernando Meligeni in the men’s singles bronze medal match in the Atlanta Olympics 1996. It was India’s first Olympic tennis medal and the first individual medal after 44 years.

What made the victory even more special is the fact that Leander Paes battled through a serious wrist injury, sustained during his semi-final clash against Andre Agassi, to claim his place in Indian sports’ hall of fame.

4. Mirabai Chanu | Silver, Weightlifting (Tokyo 2020, 49kg)

Indian weightlifting ace Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The then 26-year-old managed a total lift of 202 kgs (87kgs in snatch + 115 kgs in clean and jerk) to finish behind the Olympic champion Hou Zhihui of China, who set an Olympic record with a lift of 210 kgs (94+116). 

Mirabai Chanu’s win comes two decades after Indian trailblazer Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Competing at the 2000 Sydney Games, the Malleswari ace won a bronze medal in the women’s 69kg weight category.

3. Indian Men’s Hockey Team | Gold (Amsterdam 1928 to Tokyo 1980, 8 Golds)

India’s dominance in field hockey during the early 20th century is one of the most remarkable chapters in Olympic history. The Indian hockey team has won eight Olympic gold medals in all, six of them in a row (from 1928-1956) and added two more at Tokyo 1964 and Moscow 1980.

In the Paris 2024 Games, the team finished with a bronze for their first successive medals at the Olympics since Munich 1972. 

2. Abhinav Bindra | Gold, 10m Air Rifle (Beijing 2008)

Abhinav Bindra will forever hold a place in sporting history as India's first individual gold medallist at the Olympics. A near-perfect 10.8 on his last shot in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting event at the Beijing 2008 Olympics helped the then 25-year-old Abhinav Bindra become an Olympic champion.

Before Bindra India had won eight Olympic gold medals, all of which came in men’s field hockey (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964 and 1980).

Also Read: Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

1. Neeraj Chopra | Gold, Javelin Throw (Tokyo 2020)

Neeraj Chopra won the men’s javelin throw gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a throw of 87.58m. It was India’s first-ever Olympic medal in athletics and the realisation of a long-standing dream - one which legends like Milkha Singh and PT Usha had also chased but fallen short of by agonisingly narrow margins.

Moreover, Neeraj Chopra’s Tokyo crown was India’s second individual gold medal at the Summer Games after Abhinav Bindra’s shooting title at Beijing 2008.