When names such as Deepika Kumari, Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Abhinav Bindra, and Mary Kom, among others are mentioned, what comes to mind is a group of inspiring sports personalities of India. Individuals who have made a name in the field of sports and also have risen to become beacons of inspiration for the nation.
These men and women have graced the grandest stages of global sports competitions, emerging winners, and made India proud. From the track events, and arena activities of weightlifting, and boxing, to field sports such as cricket, and Kabaddi among other games, the Indian Olympic athletes have embraced the ethos of perpetual betterment becoming some of the most inspiring personalities. In this article, we delve into the achievements of Indian athletes, understanding how their passion and unrelenting pursuit of improvement and dedication to their careers have ignited a flame that inspires many; young and old alike.
Mary Kom
Among the Indian Olympic athletes who have inspired the nation is Mary Kom. She has not only broken records in the field but also defied societal norms to become one of the greatest female boxers in India. Mary was born in Manipur. Her parents are described as peasant farmers, a class of people who are regarded lowly in the Indian caste system.
All the odds were against her, right from the opposition she received from her father to how society treated her, if she was the type to give up easily, her name would not be known today. She overcame gender bias and discrimination as well as financial constraints to become a celebrated female boxer in India. She holds several titles in her boxing career:
- First, she is the only woman who has ever won medals in five consecutive world championships
- She became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal
- She became the Indian face of Boxing and more so just after she gave birth to her two babies
Mary Kom stands out, not just in the boxing arena but also as a woman who challenged the patriarchal society, beating all the odds to emerge as one of the best athletes in Indian history. Her story is inspiring; it encourages many, especially girls to pursue their dreams.
Prakash Javadekar, Member of Parliament wrote in his twitter account: “Congratulations to MARY KOM for making history by winning the GOLD medal at the Women’s World Championships for an unprecedented sixth time. The entire country is proud of your outstanding achievement.”
Vijender Singh
When you read about the early life of Vijender Singh, you get a clear picture of a man who has risen against all the odds to become one of the most successful athletes in India. Born into a family of farmers in Haryana, Vijender Singh’s father was a bus driver who worked for long hours to take care of his family.
As if to escape the life of poverty, the Olympic champion who is currently a politician embraced boxing.
In his interview with Abhishek Paul for Hindustantimes Vijender Singh assures, “Boxing has made me who I am today. It will be difficult to combine politics and sports, but I will manage.
He entered the record as India’s first medalist in boxing, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games and becoming one of the most famous Indian athletes in Olympics. Other championships where he bagged awards include:
- 2009 World Boxing where he won a bronze medal
- 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games where he bagged a silver medal
- 2014 Commonwealth Games
Of all the Indian athletes’ inspirational stories, Vijender Singh stands out as an inspiring example of how sports can empower an individual and transform life. Singh’s fans were always excited about the fights and bookmakers rubbed their hands together making predictions for future fights. And although today he no longer enters the ring, there are new boxers whose fights are actively bet on. You can also discover instant withdrawal betting sites in India for quick payouts. Withdrawals are important to every online gambler, so the best betting sites in India with instant withdrawal hold a particular place in the hearts of bettors. They make it simpler to receive your winnings and improve your whole online betting experience. And the experts of the bookmaker review site recommend using only licensed and trusted resources.
Deepika Kumari
Although she emerged in the eighth position during the 2012 Summer Olympics, Deepika Kumari has made a name for herself in the field of sports. Currently ranked as World Number 2 in archery, 29-year-old Deepika Kumari has won several awards in her career. She bagged the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal as well as in other events that followed.
She has been conferred several awards and accolades both in India and at the global level.
Although archery is not one of the games that you will find most betting enthusiasts wagering on, Olympic Indian athletes such as Deepika Kumari have uplifted the game, making it popular, especially among the youth.
Saina Nehwal
A professional badminton player, Saina Nehwal is considered one of the most inspiring sports personalities in India. She is the only Indian player who has reached the number one ranking in the Badminton World Federation. Saina has represented India in the Olympics three times where she has a bronze. Her journey to stardom tells the story of an athlete who has broken barriers for women to emerge victorious. She is a role model to many women, particularly young girls.
Being a celebrity, Saina tries to dissect societal issues. Or engages the public in solving them. Thus, on the problem of farmers in 2021, the badminton player wrote in her twitter account: “Farmers form an extremely important part of our country. And the efforts being made to solve these problems are evident. Let’s support a peaceful solution rather than paying attention to those who create divisions.”
The post caused a huge reaction as several other Indian celebrities wrote identical messages on their accounts.
Sania Mirza
India has over the years performed well in tennis. Some of the players who have put the country on the map are Sania Mirza. Apart from winning six Grand Slam titles in doubles, Mirza has represented India in the Olympic games three times. She has also won medals in Asian games among other tournaments.
Mirza is an inspiration to many, young girls look up to him aspiring to be great stars in tennis as well as in other sports.
Devendra Jhajharia
Devendra Jhajharia is recorded as the first Indian to win two gold medals at the Paralympics. This win has been inspiring to many especially those who are abled differently. Devendra lost his arm at the tender age of 8 but this did not stall him. His determination to become one of the best Javelin throwers in the world paid off when he won two gold medals in the Rio Paralympics.
The stories of Indian Olympic athletes such as Deepika Kumari, Sania Mirza, Devendra Jhajharia, Mary Kom, and Saina Nehwal, among others are not merely tales of medals won or records broken; they are inspirational sagas of unyielding determination, relentless pursuit of excellence, and the ceaseless quest for improvement.
Their journey to stardom serves as a testament to the transformative power of dedication and self-belief, reminding us that improvement is not a destination but a perpetual journey, determination to keep pushing and overcoming obstacles, against all the odds.
