Malleswari to Bhaker: Eight Indian Women and Their Nine Olympic Medals

A Glimpse at the Trailblazing Indian Sportswomen Who Brought Home Olympic Glory

A look at the eight remarkable Indian sportswomen who have won nine Olympic medals, each breaking new ground on the global stage.

India has seen some remarkable achievements by its female athletes on the Olympic stage. Here’s a tribute to the eight Indian women who have made history with their extraordinary performances

Manu Bhaker (2024)
Manu Bhaker made history by ending India’s 12-year Olympic shooting medal drought, earning a bronze in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Games on Sunday. This achievement marked her as the first Indian woman to secure a podium finish in this category.

India’s previous Olympic shooting medals were claimed at the 2012 London Games by rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar and 10m air rifle marksman Gagan Narang, both securing bronze. Bhaker’s determination led her to a bronze with a score of 221.7, making her the eighth Indian woman to win an Olympic medal.

Karnam Malleswari (2000, Sydney)

Karnam Malleswari etched her name in history on September 19, 2000, by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Competing in the 69-kg weightlifting category, Malleswari lifted a total of 240 kg to secure a bronze at the Sydney International Convention Centre. This monumental achievement placed her alongside legendary Indian athletes such as wrestler KD Jadhav and tennis player Leander Paes.

Saina Nehwal (2012, London)

On August 4, 2012, Saina Nehwal became the second Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. In an unexpected turn of events, Nehwal won the badminton bronze in women’s singles when her Chinese opponent, Wang Xin, retired due to a knee injury. This victory highlighted Nehwal’s resilience and determination, cementing her status as a trailblazer in Indian badminton.

Mary Kom (2012, London)

Mary Kom, a five-time world champion, secured a bronze medal in the women’s boxing flyweight (51kg) category on August 8, 2012. Although she lost to home favorite Nicola Adams in the semifinals, Kom’s performance earned her a place in the hearts of millions and added another chapter to her illustrious boxing career.

Sakshi Malik (2016, Rio de Janeiro)

Sakshi Malik became a national sensation on August 17, 2016, by winning a bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 58 kg wrestling event. Trailing her opponent, Asian champion Aisuluu Tynybekova, Malik made a stunning comeback in the last nine seconds of the bout to clinch the victory. Her triumph demonstrated the indomitable spirit of Indian women in sports.

PV Sindhu (2016, Rio de Janeiro and 2021, Tokyo)

PV Sindhu made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals. She secured a silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics after an intense final against Spain’s Carolina Marin. On August 1, 2021, Sindhu added a bronze to her tally at the Tokyo Olympics by defeating China’s He Bingjiao in the third-place play-off, solidifying her legacy in Indian badminton.

Mirabai Chanu (2021, Tokyo)

On July 24, 2021, Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the 49 kg weightlifting category at the Tokyo Olympics. Hailing from Manipur, Chanu lifted a total of 202 kg, finishing second behind China’s Hou Zhihui. Her achievement marked India’s first medal at the Tokyo Games and highlighted her exceptional strength and perseverance.

Lovlina Borgohain (2021, Tokyo)

Lovlina Borgohain secured a bronze medal in the women’s 69kg boxing category on August 4, 2021. Despite losing to world champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey in the semifinals, Borgohain’s performance made her the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal, following Vijender Singh and Mary Kom.

These extraordinary women have not only brought home Olympic medals but have also inspired countless others to pursue excellence in sports. Their achievements serve as a testament to the strength, determination, and resilience of Indian sportswomen on the global stage.