BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award 2021: PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Aditi Ashok named in the list

The five nominees for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award were announced on Tuesday. The list contains prestigious contenders such as P V Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist in badminton, and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, a Tokyo silver medalist in weightlifting. Additional candidates are golfer Aditi Ashok, paralympic shooter Avani Lekhara, and women's boxer Lovlina Borgohain. A renowned panel of sports journalists, specialists, and writers narrowed down the nominees.

Read also: PV Sindhu among 6 appointed members of Badminton World Federation Athletes’ Commission

The reaction of the nominees

Sindhu was shortlisted for a second time after winning bronze in Tokyo to go along with her silver in Rio. She was the first Indian woman to achieve two Olympic medals, as well as a silver at the World Federation World Tour Finals in 2021. "Success doesn't come easy, it's not just a few months of hard work, but years of hard work. Every day is a process, that's how you come up to a certain level," expressed Sindhu.

On the other hand, Avani Lekhara made a splash by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in 10m air rifle shooting at the Paralympic Games. She won bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 category afterwards. "I am really happy that all the hard work that I have done over the last six years is getting recognised. My long-term goal is to win gold at the 2024 Paralympics," she stated.

Aditi Ashok, who finished fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics said, "I am grateful and thankful because this was a good year for me. I had some great performances. I am happy that golf is becoming more popular in India."

Read also: Badminton News: PV Sindhu wins any BWF Title after two-and-a-half years

"We should never think that we can’t do something because we are women or girls. We women can do everything, we are all equal, "said Lovlina Borgohain, who earned a bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Meanwhile, Saikom Mirabai Chanu mentioned, "I’ve heard people say girls can’t lift heavy weights and that it damages women’s body. But that’s not true, nothing has happened to me." In 2017, she earned a gold medal at the World Weightlifting Championships. Furthermore, she did not forget to clinch a silver medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

A brief look at the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award 2021

The awards, now in the third year, are intended to recognise the contributions of Indian sportswomen throughout the preceding year. However, it also shines a broader spotlight on the accomplishments of all women participating in sport across the country.

The very first winner was badminton legend P.V. Sindhu, and last year's victory went to chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy.

Read also: Laureus World Sportswoman of the year 2021: Here are all the nominees

The BBC website, which is available in English along with a plethora of local languages, permits the public to vote online for their candidate of choice. Nevertheless, the winner will be unveiled at an event in Delhi on March 28.