When a woman goes forward for the Olympics in India, she’s usually considered the underdog. Most Indians have huge expectations from the male athletes that qualify for the Olympics, it’s not the same for women. Only if a woman has done something that’s really remarkable in the past is when people might consider that she can come back with a medal, however there are a number of young women too that are amazing and have a lot of talent.
During the 2016 Rio Olympics, there were two medals that India came back with, and both medals were won by women. Indian athletes are just as talented as the men in our country, and they have proved this time and again. Here are some Indian female athletes that will make you proud.
10. Dipa Karmakar
Sport: Gymnast
Achievements
- Bronze medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
- Bronze medal at the 2015 Hiroshima Asian Championships
Dipa Karmakar silenced all her critics when she became the first female Indian gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 52 years. Dipa performed extremely well against world class gymnasts and finished a commendable fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Dipa Karmakar also gained the distinction of becoming only the fifth woman ever to successfully land the Produnova. This is said to be the most difficult vault performed in gymnastics.
9. Saba Anjum Karim
Sport: Field Hockey
Achievements
- Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2002
- Gold medal at the Asia Cup 2004
- Bronze medal at the Asian games 2006
Saba Anjum is an outstanding hockey player who has made India proud with her performances. She was one of the strongest players in the team who managed to assist the team to win a number of medals. She was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2013. Saba Anjum was also awarded with the Padma Shri in 2015.
8. Anju Bobby George
Sport: Long Jump / Triple Jump Athlete
Achievements
- Bronze medal at the 2003 Paris World Championships
- Gold medal at the 2005 Monte Carlo World Athletics Final
- Bronze medal at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games
- Gold medal at the 2002 Busan Asian Games
- Silver medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games
- Gold medal at the 2005 Incheon Asian Championships
- Silver medal at the 2007 Amman Asian Championships
Anju Bobby George caught everyone’s attention when she won a bronze medal at the Athletics World Championship in Paris in 2003. This meant that she became the first ever Indian athlete to ever win a medal at an Athletics World Championship event. She has also won the gold medal at the prestigious IAAF World Athletics Final in 2005. Anju was bestowed with the Arjuna Award in 2002.
7. PT Usha
Sport: Track And Field Athlete
Achievements
- Gold Medal At the 1986 Seoul 200 meters
- Gold Medal At the 1986 Seoul 400 meters
- Gold Medal At the 1986 Seoul 400 meters hurdles
- Gold Medal At the 1986 Seoul 4 x 400 meters relay
- Silver Medal At the 1982 New Delhi 100 meters
- Silver Medal At the 1982 New Delhi 200 Meters
- Silver Medal At the 1982 New Delhi 200 Meters
- Silver Medal At the 1990 Beijing 400 Meters
- Silver Medal At the 1990 Beijing 4×100 meters relay
- Silver Medal At the 1994 Hiroshima 4×400 meters relay
Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha more commonly known as PT Usha is to date one of the greatest Indian athletes of all time. She was often referred to as the ‘Queen of Track And Field’ and ‘ Payyoli Express’.
She has a won a number of awards including the World Trophy for best Athlete, 1985, 1986 and Adidas Golden Shoe award for the best athlete, 1986 Seoul Asian Games. She was also considered the greatest woman athlete in 1985.
6. Kunjarani Devi
Sport: Weightlifting
Achievements
- One silver and Two bronze medals in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Shanghai in 1989
- Three Silver Medals in the 1991 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Indonesia
- Two Gold and one Bronze medal in the Asian Weightlifting Championship in 1995 in South Korea
Kunjarani was one of the most prominent female weightlifting champions during her time. She was the coach of the Indian women’s weightlifting team in Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow. She currently holds the rank of a “Commandant” in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.