The Paris Olympics has created a buzz all over the globe curating phenomenal sporting legends from different countries. With the Indian contingent fighting hard to win medals and sporting glory, here is a look at some of the strongest female Indian athletes we are rooting for.
The Games of XXXIII Olympiad kickstarted on July 24 and will conclude on August 11, 2024, in Paris, France. The Games will feature 32 sports, including breaking (Breakdancing), athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and team sports like football and basketball. The top-performing countries so far are Japan with 12 medals, France with 16 medals, China with 12 medals, Australia with 9 medals, and Korea with 9 medals, with India securing 2 medals in shooting.
Indian women athletes have made significant progress at the Paris Olympics 2024, including Manu Bhaker, the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic medal in shooting after clinching a bronze medal in the Women's 10m Air Pistol event and another bronze medal in the 10m Mixed Air Pistol along with Sarabjot Singh. Manika Batra, the first Indian table tennis player reached the singles pre-quarterfinals defeating Prithika Pavade, world number 18, PV Sindhu gave a strong performance in badminton women's singles, Nikhat Zareen in boxing women's 50kg, Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari in archery reaching to the quarter-finals but losing it to the Dutch team. These achievements demonstrate India's commitment to women's sports.
India has sent a strong contingent of 47 women athletes to the Paris Olympics 2024. All of them are phenomenal in their respective sports categories. Women Entrepreneurs Review lists the top 5 female athletes who you should watch out for!
Annu Rani - Javelin
Annu Rani, an Indian javelin thrower, hails from Bahadurpur village, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. She was noticed by her brother for her strength in her upper body while playing cricket. Annu broke the national record multiple times, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the finals in the women's javelin throw event. Her personal best throw is 63.24 meters. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, and won a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023. Despite facing financial and facility challenges initially, she is set to represent India in the women's javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Mirabai Chanu - Weightlifting
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, born in Nongpok Kakching, Imphal East, Manipur, is a renowned weightlifter from India. She won a silver medal in the Women's 49 kg category at the Tokyo Olympics and has won gold medals at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships. Despite facing financial difficulties and injuries, her determination and resilience have been key to her success. She is currently competing in the Women's 49 kg weightlifting event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Vinesh Phogat - Wrestling
Vinesh Phogat, an Indian wrestler, is a renowned figure in the sport. She hails from Balalim Haryana and has won numerous medals in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Wrestling Championships. Despite facing a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament tear during the Rio Olympics 2016, her resilience and determination have helped her make a strong comeback. Vinesh is currently representing India in the women's freestyle wrestling 53 kg category at the Paris Olympics and aims to grab another medal for the country.
PV Sindhu - Badminton
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, also known as PV Sindhu, is a prominent Indian badminton player. Born in Hyderabad, she won a silver medal in women's singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Sindhu has won numerous world championships, BWF World Tour Finals, and the Asian and Commonwealth Games. She has also received Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awards. Being a gem to Indian sports, she is all set to grab another medal at the Paris Olympics competing in the women's singles event.
Lovlina Borgohain - Boxing
Lovlina Borgohain, an Indian boxer from Baromukhia, Assam, gained recognition for her impressive achievements and inspiring journey. She won a bronze medal in the women's welterweight category at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, becoming the third Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. She is the first female athlete from Assam to represent India at the Olympics. She will next compete in the Paris Olympics 2024 for 75 kg to add a medal to her list. Lovlina has secured a gold medal in the middleweight category at the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi, and bronze medals in the welterweight category. She has also won a silver medal in the middleweight category at the Asian Games and gold & bronze medals at the Asian Championships in 2022, 2017, and 2021, respectively.
