We look back at the medal winners for India in the history of Olympic Games!
As we go on to explore India's Olympic champions of the new millennium up to 2012, it is impossible not to notice that this was a time of change for Indian sports. Many great athletes appeared during this period, who not only achieved excellent results in their respective disciplines but also gave an impetus to the development of sports throughout the country. They were into weightlifting and shooting, boxing, and wrestling, among other games; they conquered barriers and records and earned fame for the nation. Here we present some of the most inspiring tales of hope, commitment, and victory that encapsulate this era of Indian sports.
- Karnam Malleswari – Bronze – Women's 54 kg weightlifting – Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to clinch an Olympic medal. At the Sydney Olympics 2000, weightlifter Malleswari, who competed in the Women's 54 kg category, lifted a total of 240kg and won a bronze. Her performance was not only an inspiration to millions of young girls and women in India but also earned the country a tremendous amount of pride. From Andhra Pradesh, she was the first Indian woman to have won a medal at the Commonwealth Games, and her victory was a landmark event in Indian sports, wherein the nation started to pay more attention to women's sports. It proved that Indian women are capable of excelling in international sports, and she opened doors for the next generations of female sports stars.
16. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – Silver – Men's Double Trap Shooting – Athens 2004.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won India's first individual silver medal in shooting during the Athens 2004 Olympics. Rathore exhibited excellent skills and accuracy in the Men's Double Trap Shooting event. He scored 179 out of 200 to clinch the silver medal; the gold went to Ahmed Al Maktoum of the UAE. Rathore, from Jaisalmer, was an officer in the Indian Army at the time. He not only raised India's prestige in the international arena of Shooting but also opened the doors for other young shooters in India. Rathore's success boosted the image of shooting in India, and many young people decided to follow the sport.
Rajyvardhan Sing Rathore. Pic credit Rajyvardhan Sing Rathore Facebbok page
17. Abhinav Bindra; Gold; Men’s 10m Air Rifle Shooting; Beijing 2008
Abhinav Bindra's getting the gold medal for Shooting during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 was a pinnacle of achievement for India in the field of the Olympics. Bindra hit a score of 700.5 points to win India's first ever individual Olympic gold medal. Born in Dehradun, Bindra's success was the result of dedication, hard work, and proper training. His victory not only made the nation proud but also encouraged the upcoming athletes to dream of winning the Olympics.
It can be rightfully said that Bindra's success is one of the most memorable moments in Indian sports history and exemplifies that success comes with dedication.
Abhinav Bindra. Pic credit Paris Olympic Gamesit
18. Vijender Singh – Bronze – Men's Middleweight Boxing – Beijing 2008
Vijender Singh was awarded a bronze medal in the Men's Middleweight Boxing event at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and thus, it was the first time an Indian boxer won an Olympic medal. Vijender, who belongs to Bhiwani, Haryana, was a true example of talent, hard work, and sweat that he had put into clinching the gold. He got past his opponent from Ecuador, Carlos Góngora, to become the quarter-finalist and proceed to the semifinal. Even though he was beaten in the semifinals by Cuban Emilio Correa, Vijender placed Indian boxing on the map. He motivated many young Indians to take up the sport. He shared the dream of Indian boxers on the international platform and opened the way to future victories in the sport.
Vijender Singh pic credit Sportstar/The Hindu
19. Sushil Kumar – Bronze – Men's 66 kg Wrestling – 2008 Beijing Olympics
Sushil Kumar won a bronze medal for India in the men's 66kg wrestling at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, thus breaking the 56-year dry spell in wrestling. Sushil was born in Baprola village near Delhi, and the journey to the podium was full of hard work and commitment. He defeated Leonid Spiridonov of Kazakhstan in the bronze medal fight. This success of Sushil inspired a lot of young wrestlers to look forward to winning an Olympic medal in wrestling.
20. Sushil Kumar – Silver – Men's wrestling 66 kg – London 2012
In the London 2012 Olympics, Sushil Kumar again represented India and got a silver medal in the Men's 66kg wrestling. Sushil moved to the final after battling it out with Akzhurek Tanatarov of Kazakhstan in a very competitive semifinal. Sushil Kumar was defeated by Japan's Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu in the final; however, this was still a historic win as he became the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals. His excellent performance, coupled with his incredible determination, has made him one of the greatest wrestlers in India and a role model to many.
21. Vijay Kumar – Silver – Men 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol (India) – London Olympics 2012
Vijay Kumar brought home the silver medal for the men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Shooting at the London Olympics in 2012. Vijay Kumar from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, was very accurate and composed throughout his performance. He got a total of 30 points in the final and came second to Cuba's Luis Pupo, who took gold. Vijay Kumar's victory made India proud and showcased that India was a force to reckon with in the field of Shooting. Many young shooters were motivated by his success.
The history of Indian sports, especially the Olympic champions from the year 2000 to 2012, can be considered as the golden period. These athletes, with their unrelenting passion and determination, gave the country something to cheer about, and inspired a generation of youngsters to get into sports. Their successes live on to this day and encourage people to reach the top and represent the country and the world.