Neeraj Chopra: The Golden Arm
Neeraj Chopra catapulted himself into Indian sporting immortality with a historic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in javelin throw. This made him the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win an Olympic gold. But his journey to the pinnacle was
paved with consistent excellence. Before his Olympic triumph, Chopra had already announced his arrival on the global stage by winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where he became the first Indian to win the javelin throw event. He followed this with a silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making him a multiple-medal winner at the Games.
PV Sindhu: Queen of the Court
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is a name synonymous with consistency and history-making. She is the first and only Indian woman to win two Olympic medals. Her journey includes a hard-fought silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a determined bronze at Tokyo 2020. On the Commonwealth stage, her dominance is just as impressive. Sindhu has a complete set of singles medals: a bronze in 2014, a silver in 2018, and finally, the coveted gold at the 2022 Birmingham Games. Her ability to perform at the highest level across different major tournaments cements her status as one of India's all-time great athletes.
Saina Nehwal: The Badminton Trailblazer
Long before badminton became a multi-medal sport for India, Saina Nehwal was the one breaking barriers. She created history at the London 2012 Olympics by becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze. Her success inspired a generation. At the Commonwealth Games, Nehwal was a force to be reckoned with, winning two singles gold medals in 2010 and 2018. Her 2010 gold in New Delhi, won in front of a home crowd, was a particularly iconic moment for Indian sport.
Sushil Kumar: The Wrestling Powerhouse
Sushil Kumar is India's most decorated wrestler and the first Indian athlete to win two individual Olympic medals in the post-independence era. He first won a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, ending a 56-year drought for India in wrestling medals. He then upgraded to a silver at the 2012 London Olympics, where he was also the flag bearer. In the Commonwealth Games, his record was one of utter domination. Kumar won three consecutive gold medals in three different editions: 2010 in Delhi, 2014 in Glasgow, and 2018 in Gold Coast.
Mary Kom: A Force of Nature
Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom is a legend of the boxing world. A six-time World Champion, her crowning Olympic moment came at the London 2012 Games, where she won a bronze medal in the flyweight category. This made her the first Indian woman boxer to win an Olympic medal. She finally added the one major medal missing from her cabinet at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where she punched her way to a dominant gold. Her longevity, skill, and incredible determination have inspired millions.
Gagan Narang: The Marksman's Glory
Shooting has been a source of immense pride for India, and Gagan Narang is one of its most celebrated exponents. He fulfilled his Olympic dream at the London 2012 Games, winning a bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle event. But it was at the Commonwealth Games that Narang truly built his legacy. He is one of India's most successful athletes in the history of the Games, amassing a staggering 10 medals, including eight golds, across the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions. His four gold medals at the 2010 Delhi Games were a highlight of India's best-ever CWG performance.
