India at Olympics: From Manu Bhaker to Mary Kom, First Indian Women Olympic Medal Winners Across Categories

Indian Women at Olympics: The Olympics has been considered as one of the major multi-sports events, divided into the Summer and Winter Games, held every four years. World-class athletes from different regions qualify to compete with each other, and winning medals. India has evolved with every Olympics, setting records and achieving the impossible. India first participated in the Olympics in 1900 and has since become one of the contenders. 

India has won a total of ten gold medals since its participation. Over the years, Indian athletes have expanded their prowess to other sports, winning medals in shooting, wrestling, boxing, badminton, and track and field, particularly the Women Athletes. The contribution of women sportspersons have made significant strides in the Olympics, breaking barriers and achieving remarkable success. 

There are many Indian Women Olympians who successfully won first-time medals in different sport categories, creating history for themselves and making India proud. Let’s check out the list.

Manu Bhaker

In the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, Manu Bhaker became the first Indian Women Shooter to get an Olympic medal. The 22 years old Jhajjar girl bagged a bronze in Women’s 10 m air pistol event. With this, Bhaker also opened India’s medal account at the Summer Olympics 2024. 

Karnam Malleshwari

Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. She won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games after lifting 110kg in the snatch and 130kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 240kg. She is also the first Indian weightlifter (male or female), to win an Olympic medal.

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal, former world number one badminton champion made India proud after winning a bronze medal in the women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics. She became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal. Saina has represented India at three Summer Olympics: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.

Mary Kom

Indian female boxer Mary Kom made history by winning the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She was the first Indian woman to win an Olympic boxing medal, and only the second Indian boxer to do so, after Vijender Singh’s bronze in Beijing 2008.

Sakshi Malik

Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik won a bronze medal in the women’s 58kg category at Rio 2016, making her the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal.