Live Scores

Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen qualifies for the Paris Olympics 2024

Lakshya is now the second Indian men's singles player for India to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 as HS Prannoy has already confirmed his berth in this tournament.

Mar 29, 2024, 1:43 PM2 min read

Lakshya Sen has unofficially confirmed his berth for the Paris Olympics 2024. Image- SportsCafe.in

Indian star badminton player Lakshya Sen has qualified for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 via ranking quota.

Lakshya Sen faced defeat to his rival Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the recently held All England Championships. The Match was ended by 21-12, 10-21, 21-15 in a three-game match. However, despite this, Lakshya has succeeded in qualifying for the Paris Olympics 2024. His recent resurgence has helped him reach RTP 12 with 64021 points. Kidambi Srikanth's arrival at the Swiss Open would help him move ahead by 27 (47943 points), but as you can see with the total points, the gap is now huge.

Also Read: Indian Hockey team's schedule for Olympics 2024

Lakshya would like to make it his name by performing strongly in the Madrid Open. His first-round opponent is Japan's Takuma Obayashi (RTP 31, 5th highest in Japan) and he could potentially face compatriot Kiran George in the second round.

Lakshya is now the second Indian men's singles player for India to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 as HS Prannoy has already confirmed his berth in this tournament. After that, India will have two representations in the men's singles category at the same Olympics after 20 years. Earlier, in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Abhinn Shyam Gupta and Nikhil Kanetkar were the ones who qualified in the men's singles discipline.

World no.1 pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankreddy and Chirag Shetty will lead India in the men's doubles category in the second consecutive Olympics. Meanwhile, in women's doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto are in a very tricky position for the Paris Quota as 5-6 pairs are fighting for the 4 available spots.

Also Read: Indian Men and Women Table Tennis Teams qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics

On the other hand, PV Sindhu will be the lone representative for India in women's singles. Sindhu had to face defeat in straight games to her rival An Se-young of Korea in the second round of women's singles in the All England Championships. Two-time Olympic medalist Sindhu was in good form at one point during the match and put up a tough fight against the top-ranked player, but she failed to control her mistakes and lost the match. However, despite this, she also qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024. 

Next Article

BWF US Open 2025: India's Ayush Shetty wins men's singles, Tanvi Sharma finishes as runner-up in women's singles

Ayush Shetty won his maiden Super 300 title by winning the men's singles title at BWF US Open 2025. Meanwhile, 16-year-old sensation Tnavi Sharma finished runner-up in women's singles.

Jun 30, 2025, 10:43 AM2 min read

BWF US Open 2025: India's Ayush Shetty wins men's singles, Tanvi Sharma finishes as runner-up in women's singles | sportzpoint.com

Ayush Shetty won his maiden Super 300 title by winning the men's singles title at the BWF US Open 2025. Meanwhile, 16-year-old sensation Tnavi Sharma finished runner-up in women's singles.

BWF US Open 2025: India's Ayush Shetty wins men's singles, Tanvi Sharma finishes as runner-up in women's singles - sportzpoint.com
Image | BAI on X

Ayush defeated Canada's Brian Yang in straight games 21-13, 21-18 to lift the title. Shetty became the 5th Indian men's singles shuttler to win a Super 300+ title after Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, Priyanshu Rajawat, and Sameer Verma.

After 8 years, India won a title at the US Open in any discipline since H.S. Prannoy won in 2017. 

BWF US Open 2025: India's Ayush Shetty wins men's singles, Tanvi Sharma finishes as runner-up in women's singles - sportzpoint.com
Image | Badminton Photo via BAI on X.

However, it was not a perfect end for 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma as she faced a heartfelt defeat against home favourite and No. 1 seed Beiwen Zhang of the USA 11-21, 21-16, 21-10 in the finals. 

Tanvi, who is now the youngest player ever to reach the final of any Super 300 tournament, had won all the sets until the final. She had defeated WR23, WR58, WR50 & WR40 to reach the final. 

Next Article

Timeline: India’s rise at the Olympics

Delve into India's rise at the Olympics through a historical timeline, spotlighting key turning points from the golden era of hockey to individual medals that shaped the nation's flourishing success.

Jun 29, 2025, 8:34 AM4 min read

Timeline: India’s rise at the Olympics | sportzpoint.com

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

Timeline: India’s rise at the Olympics | sportzpoint.com
Leander Paes, Karnam Malleswari and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore with their Olympic Medals. Image | Sportzpoint

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

Timeline: India’s rise at the Olympics | sportzpoint.com
2012 Olympic Medalists from India. Image | sportzpoint.com

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.

2016 Rio Olympics
Medal Medalist Sport Event
Silver P.V. Sindhu Badminton Women's singles
Bronze Sakshi Malik Wrestling Women's freestyle 58 kg

2020 Tokyo Olympics
Medal Medalist Sport Event
Gold Neeraj Chopra Athletics Men's javelin throw
Silver Saikhom Mirabai Chanu Weightlifting Women's 49 kg
Silver Ravi Kumar Dahiya Wrestling Men's freestyle 57 kg
Bronze P. V. Sindhu Badminton Women's singles
Bronze Lovlina Borgohain Boxing Women's welterweight
Bronze Men's field hockey team Field Hockey Men's tournament
Bronze Bajrang Punia Wrestling Men's freestyle 65kg

2024 Paris Olympics
Medal Medalist Sport Event
Silver Neeraj Chopra  Athletics Men's javelin throw
Bronze Manu Bhaker Shooting Women's 10m air pistol
Bronze Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh Shooting Mixed 10m air pistol team
Bronze Swapnil Kusale Shooting Men's 50m rifle (3 positions)
Bronze Men's field hockey team Field Hockey Men's tournament
Bronze Aman Sehrawat Wrestling Men's freestyle 57 kg

Next Article

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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

Jun 28, 2025, 11:32 AM5 min read

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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)

Best Indian Performances in Olympic History

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.

Next Article

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

We have three years before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. So, just making firm predictions who will win what is tough. So, let's just try to make a prediction of who to watch in LA 2028 from India.

Jun 24, 2025, 11:26 AM7 min read

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

LA 2028 is going to see great Olympians continue their greatness, young stars take their next steps, and entire sports leap into the spotlight.

India has already started its preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. India is seeing a great performance in LA, where everyone is expecting to win more than 10 medals. The country feels optimistic with a promising lineup mixed with veterans and young guns that these young men shall not only live up but also exceed expectations when they bring laurels home to India in the LA 2028.

We have three years before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. So, just making firm predictions who will win what is tough. So, let's just try to make a prediction of who to watch in LA 2028 from India.

Also Read: 10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Anahat Singh

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

Well, this might sound wild. But why make only the safe predictions? India expects Anahat Singh to bag the first Olympic squash medal. 

Anahat Singh had already won a medal at the Asian Games at an age of fifteen. She has also quickly emerged as the best female squash player in India. What a time to come out of the shadows for a sport that will have its greatest hour ever when squash is introduced in the Olympic programme in Los Angeles.

Nothing wrong with Anahat being among the world’s best juniors. Each time she competes at a senior event, she is better. Forget Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal, and Saurav Ghosal, those legends from India might be too old to pick up a racquet and compete in Los Angeles, but Anahat can win for them all.

Anmol Kharb

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

It is not an easy job to emulate PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. It’s also not an easy assignment to follow a huge success at such a young age with consistent performances later. Teenager Anmol Kharb found that out after she was India’s star at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in early 2024. In high-stakes clashes, she outsmarted players with higher rankings.

Till Tokyo, India had won three consecutive medals in women’s singles badminton; however, that run was stopped in Paris. Kharb possesses tremendous skill and as such, like she showed early this year, has the right attitude. All now remains is to conjure consistency. Anmol can prove to be the third woman that wins her a medal in badminton for India.

Dhiraj Bommadevara

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

The 22-year-old Bullseye archer from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, was a treat to behold at the Olympics in Paris. He finished the men’s individual archery ranking round with a total of 681 out of 720. In the team event, his superb shooting carried India to qualify for the quarterfinals. Turkey edged past Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav 6-2 in the quarters of the men’s team event.

Bommadevara made Olympic history as the first Indian archer to reach the mixed team semifinals, along with Ankita Bhakat. The duo finally finished fourth, and silver or bronze medals proved just out of reach. So, with age being his side, he is likely to put up a show at the next Olympics to bring a long due medal home. However, this time we hope he gives us a medal to celebrate at the 2028 Olympics.

Lakshya Sen

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

When Viktor Axelsen says it, how can anyone disagree? The two-time Olympic champion earmarked Lakshya Sen as one of the big contenders for the gold medal in LA after their semifinal in Paris 2024, which Axelsen won in straight games despite being given a scare in both games.

Lakshya is only 23 and has plenty of badminton ahead of him. Like in the Thomas Cup in 2022, and then the Asian Games last year before these Olympics, he has shown time and again that he has the ability to raise his level at big tournaments as well.

Bhajan Kaur

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

The upcoming star of Indian Archery, Bhajan Kaur, who in her tender age of nineteen only, marked her presence in the archery tournament. She ranked 22nd in the women’s individual ranking round with a score of 659. In the Round of 16, she faced Diananda Choirunisa of Indonesia, and her exciting match went into a shoot-off.

Her Olympic journey ended there in the shoot-off; however, she did leave behind a mark as a promising name in Indian archery despite her heroic effort to come back from a facile victory from behind and force a tie. She was known for accuracy. So far, she has been going very well and she was confident of winning at international levels. Her rigorous schedule of training coupled with her recent wins have increased the expectation of a medal in the 2028 Olympics.

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

Reetika Hooda

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

Haryana’s girl, Reetika represented her state in the women’s 57kg freestyle category. She went all gung-ho. On August 10, she was knocked out of the Paris Olympics with a close loss to the top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan at the women’s 76kg freestyle quarterfinals. On points, the match remained 1-1, but Medet Kyzy won due to the final technical point rule.

Hooda, who has emerged as one of the best athletes in Indian athletics, is getting enough attention these days. With improved personal bests and perfected technique, experts feel she would easily be at stake for a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Reetika’s journey inspires many young athletes, and her potential success in 2028 can well be a historic moment for Indian sports.

Indian Men's Hockey Team

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

There will be changes to the Indian men's hockey team between Paris and the LA Olympics. One thing that won't change is its captain. It's both scary (for the rest of the world) and reassuring (for Indians) to think that Harmanpreet Singh is still only 28 years old.

He's coach Craig Fulton's general now. He's just inspired his team to a bronze medal. The youngsters coming through are showing so much promise. Fulton will oversee those changes, but will still build his side around his captain. Much like PR Sreejesh in Paris, there is a chance that LA sees the team wanting to play for Harmanpreet.

Of course, as Graham Reid found out after Tokyo, there's plenty of potential to fall flat on your face, but if Fulton has his way for the next four years, that first gold medal since Moscow 1980 certainly can't be far away.

Indian Men's Cricket Team

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

Cricket is another sport which might bring a medal for the Indian contingent. Six teams will participate in the event to be held in Los Angeles. As hosts, the USA might receive an automatic qualification spot. Further, England will be participating under the Great Britain flag while the Islands which comprise the West Indies will compete as individual countries, which might weaken them.

Indian Men's Cricket Team has been in brilliant form in the white-ball ICC tournaments in the last two years. The team first clinched the T20 World Cup in 2024 and also won the Champions Trophy 2025. Considering the kind of India’s form and the talent pool they have, the Men in Blue are strong medal contenders and that too for a gold.

Also Read: Cricket may be shifted from Los Angeles at the 2028 Olympics, to attract Indian fans

Jyothi Surekha Vennam

Olympic Athletes to Watch in LA 2028 from India

Among the star athletes to expect sometime in LA is Jyothi Surekha Vennam, one of India's most decorated archers. Eight world championship medals, India’s first world title in Compound archery, and 20 World Cup medals, including ten gold medals, are some prestigious accolades proudly owned by her.

Her glorious moment was in Hangzhou, where she created history by winning gold in all three events—individual, women's team, and mixed team compound. In addition to it, she and Ojas Pravin Deotale had won mixed team gold in the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Antalya (April 2023), missing world record status narrowly with a score of 159-154 against Chinese Taipei.

Next Article

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

In this article, we will take a look at those Indian female Olympians who made Olympic history.

Jun 23, 2025, 11:37 AM5 min read

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

In a country where sports is often dominated by men, some Olympic stars chose to challenge the ordinary and pave a path for Indian sports women. Indian sport has seen a massive rise in the number of it's female athletes shining at the world stage since the turn of the millennium.

In this article, we will take a look at those Indian female Olympians who made Olympic history.

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

Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

1. Karnam Malleswari

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari created history and became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics. During the Sydney 2000 Games, Karnam Malleswari lifted 110kg in the snatch and 130kg in the clean and jerk categories for a total of 240kg and finished the competition with a bronze medal. She is also the first Indian weightlifter (male or female) to win an Olympic medal.

2. Saina Nehwal

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Former world No.1 Saina Nehwal put Indian badminton on the global map when she finished with a bronze medal in the women’s singles at the London 2012 Olympics.

Saina Nehwal clinched the medal after her opponent Wang Xin of the People's Republic of China retired due to injury during the bronze medal playoff match. After this, Saina became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal and has represented the country in three Summer Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016).

3. Mary Kom

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Star boxer Mary Kom etched her name in Indian sports’ history books by clinching a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics. The Manipuri boxer beat Poland’s Karolina Michalczuk and Tunisia’s Maroua Rahali in the first two rounds but lost her semi-final bout to Great Britain's Nicola Adams, settling for the bronze medal.

It was the first Olympic medal in boxing by an Indian woman and only the second after Vijender Singh’s bronze at Beijing 2008. Women’s boxing made its Olympic debut at London 2012.

4. PV Sindhu

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

PV Sindhu built on what Saina Newhal had achieved at London 2012 and took Indian badminton a step further by reaching the women’s singles final at the Rio 2016 Games.

PV Sindhu lost the final to Spain’s Carolina Marin and finished with a silver medal after a hard-fought 83-minute title battle. Despite being the runner-up, PV Sindhu created history by becoming India's youngest individual Olympic medallist, a record which has since been surpassed. She also became the first Indian woman to bag an Olympic silver medal.

5. Sakshi Malik

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik won a bronze medal in the women’s 58kg category at Rio 2016 to become the first Indian woman to win a medal in wrestling at the Olympics.

After notching up wins in the earlier rounds, Sakshi Malik lost to Valeria Koblova of Russia in the quarter-finals. However, with Koblova making the final, Sakshi Malik entered the repechage round and came home with the bronze medal following an 8–5 victory over Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan. Sakshi’s win at Rio was a memorable one as she turned the bout on its head despite trailing 5-0 at one stage.

6. Mirabai Chanu

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

After a disappointing outing at Rio 2016, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, with a total lift of 202kg, won the silver medal in the 49kg category at Tokyo 2020. With the feat, Mirabai Chanu of Manipur became the first Indian weightlifter to bag a silver at the Olympics.

Mirabai Chanu also became the second Indian weightlifter, after Karnam Malleswari, to win a medal at the Summer Games as well as the second Indian woman, after PV Sindhu, to win a silver medal at the Olympics.

7. Lovlina Borgohain

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Assamese boxer Lovlina Borgohain emulated the legendary Mary Kom by clinching a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. Lovlina Borgohain defeated Germany’s Nadine Apetz in the round of 16 and outpunched Chinese Taipei’s Chen Nien-chin in the quarter-finals to secure herself a bronze medal.

However, Turkish world No. 1 Busenaz Surmeneli proved too strong for her in the semi-finals as the Indian finished with a bronze medal.

8. Sania Mirza

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Inspired by stalwart Serena Williams, who returned to the tennis circuit after having a baby, Sania Mirza has begun to feel her way back into the sport as well. The Indian tennis ace gave birth to a boy late in 2018 and was on maternal duty ever since. But 2020 saw Sania Mirza return to the court.

Building form with every passing match, Sania Mirza made a fourth Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020, where she made a first-round exit in the women’s doubles alongside Ankita Raina. Sania retired in 2023 as easily the best women's tennis player to emerge from India.

9. Dipa Karmakar

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Dipa Karmakar, the shining star in Indian gymnastics, has made Olympic history by becoming the first Indian female gymnast to compete in the Olympic Games. She is among the only five women who have been able to master the Produnova vault. Her awe-inspiring performances and fearless spirit have inspired young gymnasts to aim for the stars.

10. Manu Bhaker

10 Indian Women Who Made Olympic History

Manu Bhaker won India's first medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol shooting event. She thus became India's first woman to win a medal in Olympic shooting. A day earlier, she had become the first Indian woman to qualify for an Olympic shooting final in 20 years.

Manu Bhaker scored 221.7 to finish third in the eight-woman final. Oh Ye Jin of the Republic of Korea clinched the gold medal with the new Olympic record of 243.2 and was followed by her compatriot Yeji Kim, who pipped Bhaker to enter the gold medal round and won the silver with the final score of 241.3.

Next Article

Latest Stories

Subscribe Newsletter

Get the latest sports updates and news delivered directly to your inbox.