Blazing Trails of Glory: Meet 18 Indian Sportswomen Competing at the Tokyo Olympics
As the 2021 Olympics commence, we take a look at a few female athletes who are a part of the Indian contingent, including the first-ever women to qualify in the fencing, sailing and swimming categories. You go girls!
Jul 23, 2021
Aditi Ashok is a professional golfer who took part in the 2016 Summer Olympics and plays on the Ladies European and LPGA tour. She holds a world ranking of 179.
Bhavani Devi is a 27-year-old Indian sabreuse. She is the first Indian fencer to ever qualify for the Olympics.
A professional archer, Deepika Kumari is currently ranked as world number one. She was awarded a gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and a record three gold medals at the 2021 Paris World Cup.
Nicknamed Magnificent Mary, she is the only female to win the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times and the first Indian female boxer to win a gold at the Commonwealth Games. Mary hails from Manipur and is 38 years old.
An award-winning sprinter, Dutee is the current National champion of the 100 metres event, the first Indian to win a gold medal in a 100 m race in a global competition, and the third Indian woman to ever qualify for the Woman's 100 m event at the Olympics.
This 21-year-old from Ahmadabad is the first and only Indian female swimmer to represent the country in the Tokyo Olympics. She will be participating in the backstroke event.
Another glorious feat is being achieved by Pranati Nayak, an artistic gymnast who will be the sole gymnast to represent India this year.
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is an Indian professional badminton player. She is the first Indian to become the Badminton World Champion and the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal.
The Indian Women's Hockey Team has qualified for back-to-back Olympic games for the first time in history. Led by captain Rani Rampal, the team has been on a winning streak bringing home numerous trophies, and they have high hopes pinned on them for an Olympic podium finish.
Tennis star Sania Mirza needs no introduction. A former doubles world number one, she has won six Grand Slam titles in her career and was ranked by the Women's Tennis Association as India's foremost player. She will be participating in the woman's doubles event alongside Ankita Raina.
Saikom Mirabai Chanu is a regular presence at international weightlifting events and competes in the 48 kg category. She has won World Championships and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games.
Hailing from Manipur, Sushila Devi Likmabam is an Indian judoka who won the silver medal in the women's 48 kg class at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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