List Of 9 Women Olympic Medal Winner
Indian Women Olympic Medalists Who Wrote History.
Over the past several decades, the trend of Indians winning more sporting events has been growing considerably. And women athletes play a considerable role in that matter to the glory of India in the Olympics. The 8 ladies have won 9 Olympic medals for the nation while representing their country. These athletes have not only made their country proud but have also paved the way for future generations of women in sports. Below is a detailed overview of the women who have etched their names in Olympic history by winning medals for India.
List of women Olympic winners from India
1. Karnam Malleswari – Bronze Medal, Weightlifting (Women’s 54kg) – Sydney 2000
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Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Competing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Malleswari hoisted a total of 240 kg (110 kg in snatch and 130 kg in clean and jerk) to bring home the bronze medal for women’s 54kg weightlifting. That was the biggest moment Indian sport had ever witnessed since this made Malleswari the first Indian woman and the first Indian lifter ever, irrespective of gender, to clinch an Olympic medal.
2. Saina Nehwal wins Bronze Medal, Badminton (Women’s Singles) – London 2012
In the 2012 London Olympics, Saina Nehwal made history by winning the bronze medal in women’s singles badminton. Nehwal defeated China’s Wang Xin in the bronze medal match after her opponent retired due to injury. This victory made Saina the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, bringing global recognition to the sport in India. Saina represented India in three consecutive Olympics: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.
3. Mary Kom – Bronze Medal, Boxing (Women’s Flyweight) – London 2012
Mary Kom, one of the best boxers from India, won the bronze medal in flyweight boxing during the London 2012 Olympics. The Manipuri boxer created history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in boxing. Though the competition was tough, she outsmarted Karolina Michalczuk and Maroua Rahali in the preceding rounds and went down against Nicola Adams of Great Britain in the semis. This was the country’s second boxing medal won after Vijender Singh’s bronze in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
4. PV Sindhu – Silver Medal, Badminton (Women’s Singles) – Rio 2016
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, PV Sindhu won a silver medal in the event of women’s singles badminton and became the first Indian woman to get the silver medal in an Olympic game. Sindhu went into the final round from a tough match as Sindhu faced Carolina Marin of Spain. Although she lost in a nail-biting 83-minute game, she is considered to be India’s youngest individual Olympic medalist up till now, raising the game’s popularity across the nation.
5. Sakshi Malik – Bronze Medal, Wrestling (Women’s 58kg) – Rio 2016
Sakshi Malik: She was another Olympic star who scripted history by being the first Indian woman wrestler to receive an Olympic medal at Rio 2016 in the wrestling 58kg category. She was defeated in the quarter-finals, however, after the repechage round, she won a bronze medal. Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan was the first one who was defeated. Her victory was a testament to her resiliency, coming from behind to secure a historic win and make her one of the most remembered figures in Indian wrestling.
6. Mirabai Chanu – Silver Medal, Weightlifting (Women’s 49kg) – Tokyo 2020
After an unfortunate 2016 Rio Olympics, Mirabai Chanu redeemed herself, winning the silver medal in women’s 49kg weightlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. With a total lift of 202kg, she became the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleswari to win an Olympic medal. Chanu’s triumph also made her the second Indian woman after PV Sindhu to win a silver medal at the Summer Games, marking a new chapter in India’s weightlifting history.
7. Lovlina Borgohain – Bronze Medal, Boxing (Women’s Welterweight 69kg) – Tokyo 2020
Lovlina Borgohain created history by winning a bronze medal in women’s 69kg welterweight boxing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Borgohain made it to the semi-finals, winning over Nadine Apetz of Germany and Chen Nien-Chin of Chinese Taipei. She lost the semi-final to Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey, yet Lovlina’s achievement went into the annals of Olympic history. Lovlina is the third Indian female boxer to bring an Olympic medal home. After Mary Kom and Sarita Devi, Lovlina has scripted her name in the Olympic register.
8. PV Sindhu – Bronze Medal, Badminton (Women’s Singles) – Tokyo 2020
In a remarkable feat, PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals after securing the bronze medal in women’s singles badminton at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Having already won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sindhu’s bronze at Tokyo was another breakthrough achievement, as she became the second Indian athlete after Sushil Kumar to win two Olympic medals in individual events. Sindhu’s win also made her the only Indian woman to win medals in two consecutive Olympic Games.
9. Manu Bhaker – Bronze Medal, Shooting (Women’s 10m Air Pistol) – Paris 2024
Manu Bhaker added another chapter to India’s Women’s Olympic legacy when she managed to secure the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol shooting event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bhaker shot a total of 221.7, which bagged the third position in the final round. With this win, Bhaker became the first Indian woman ever to medal in Olympic shooting, while her performance made India grab its very first medal from the Paris 2024 Games.
The success of these Indian women athletes has brought pride to the nation and highlighted the growing prominence of women in sports. From Karnam Malleswari’s groundbreaking achievement in weightlifting to Manu Bhaker’s historic win in shooting, these women have shown that they are not only capable of competing on the world stage but can excel and bring home medals. As India continues to build its legacy in the Olympics, it is the achievements of such athletes that will inspire future generations.