The First Family of Indian Wrestling
The story of the Phogat family is so iconic it inspired the blockbuster film 'Dangal'. Their journey, led by patriarch and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, revolutionised women's wrestling in India. The family’s affair with Commonwealth Games glory began in 2010
when Geeta Phogat became the first Indian woman to win a wrestling gold medal. Her sister, Babita Kumari Phogat, won a silver at the same Delhi Games. Babita went on to build a formidable legacy of her own, winning a gold at the 2014 Glasgow Games and another silver in Gold Coast in 2018. The family's dominance continued through their cousin, Vinesh Phogat, who was also raised and trained by Mahavir. Vinesh achieved an incredible feat by winning three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals: in Glasgow (2014), Gold Coast (2018), and Birmingham (2022), cementing the Phogats as India's foremost sporting dynasty.
The Sibling Archers Who Hit Gold
The 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi was a watershed moment for Indian sports, and the Banerjee siblings from West Bengal made it their own personal triumph. Dola and Rahul Banerjee, a sister-brother duo in archery, etched their names in history by both climbing to the top of the podium. Dola, the elder of the two, was a key member of the women’s recurve team that clinched the gold medal. She also added an individual bronze to her tally, showcasing her calm and precision under pressure. Not to be outdone, her younger brother Rahul delivered a stellar performance in the men’s individual recurve event, winning a coveted gold medal. He was also part of the men’s team that secured a bronze. For a brother and sister to both win gold medals at the same Games, and that too on home soil, remains one of the most heartwarming stories in India’s Commonwealth Games history.
A Badminton Legacy Across Generations
Pullela Gopichand is a name synonymous with Indian badminton, first as a trailblazing player and later as a legendary coach. His legacy at the Commonwealth Games began at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games, where he won a bronze medal in the men's singles and a silver with the Indian team. For over two decades, he dedicated himself to building the next generation of champions, including Olympic medallists. In 2022, his legacy came full circle in Birmingham when his daughter, Gayatri Gopichand, stepped onto the Commonwealth Games podium. Following in her father's footsteps, Gayatri won a bronze medal in the women’s doubles and was part of the silver medal-winning mixed team. Her mother, P.V.V. Lakshmi, was also a national champion and Olympian, making this family a true badminton powerhouse. The Gopichands represent a remarkable story of a sporting legacy passed from one generation to the next.
The Power Couple of the Shooting Range
In the high-stakes world of shooting, where mental fortitude is paramount, Heena Sidhu and Ronak Pandit created a unique partnership both on and off the range. Ronak Pandit first made his mark by winning a silver medal in the 25m standard pistol pairs event at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. A few years later, his wife, Heena Sidhu, emerged as one of India's most successful pistol shooters. She shot to fame by winning a gold medal in the 10m air pistol pairs event at the 2010 Delhi Games. Her success didn't stop there; she went on to win another gold in the 25m pistol event at the 2018 Gold Coast Games. Their partnership evolved over the years, with Ronak transitioning into a coaching role to guide Heena through her most successful period. Together, they represent a powerful story of a husband and wife sharing a deep understanding and passion for their sport, translating it into multiple medals for India.
