Due to the prevalence of male population in India, the country’s sports stars are mostly men, who you also expect to see on sports betting platforms (one of them available at the jeetbuzz apk download link) when placing a wager on Indian athletes. However, Indian sports women try to catch up the heights already achieved by their male fellows. Let us take a look at who managed to break that ceiling in Olympic sports and become trailblazers for female sport.
Saina Nehwal, badminton
In 2012, London witnessed some new sports records reached by Saina Nehwal, who got a bronze. This was the first medal in badminton earned by India at the Olympic Games. The achievements of this Indian athlete were highly recognised and revered upon her return, serving as an embodiment of strength and hope for the youth.
Mary Kom, boxing
Olympic dreamers savoring the taste of victory after a fight full of emotions may emulate the path of Mary Kom, who is a first female boxer from India earning a medal at the Olympics. Her winning six world titles and getting back to professional sport after pregnancy is a testament to her diligence and stamina, which is surely an example for many women to follow.
Sakshi Malik, wrestling
Wrestling is not alien to Indian male athletes, and it is surely not for Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik. She has been a catalyst for female wrestling in India by winning a bronze in the women’s 58kg category in Rio 2016. This was a pivotal moment in the Indian sports history as it gave new hopes and prospects for Indian girls willing to become global-scale wrestlers.
Sania Mirza, tennis
Sania Mirza is known for her coming back to the tennis circuit in 2020 after giving birth to Izhan in 2018. Her return culminated in a title win at the Hobart International and then in the national tennis team ending up in the Fed Cup playoffs for the first time.
Tokyo 2020 was Mirza’s fourth Olympic appearance, where she made a first-round exit in the women’s doubles. Three years later, Sania finished her professional career and is arguably one of the best female Indian tennis players.
Manu Bhaker, shooting
Shooting has also been one of India’s pride. It is thanks to Manu Bhaker that the country can now boast two bronze medals received at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She is officially the first woman from India to take the upper places at the Olympics.
Bhaker’s path began when she was fourteen. Her fame and performance quickly amplified as she set a national record at the 2017 National Championships, leaving Heena Sidhu behind. At the age of sixteen, she earned an ISSF World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympics titles in 2018 while 2021 saw her become the junior world champion.
Mani Bhaker is a role model for both young and experienced athletes coming from India, for whom she is a female that is not afraid of proving herself.
