India’s journey in the Olympic Games has been marked by the exceptional performances of its female athletes. From the historic bronze by Karnam Malleswari in 2000 to the recent triumphs in Paris 2024, Indian women have consistently showcased their prowess on the global stage. This article provides a comprehensive overview of all Indian female Olympic medalists, categorized by the year of achievement and their respective sports.
Medalists by Olympic Year and Sport
Sydney 2000
| Athlete | Sport | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnam Malleswari | Weightlifting | Women’s 69 kg | Bronze |
Karnam Malleswari made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in weightlifting at the Sydney Games.
London 2012
| Athlete | Sport | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saina Nehwal | Badminton | Women’s Singles | Bronze |
| Mary Kom | Boxing | Women’s Flyweight | Bronze |
Saina Nehwal’s bronze marked India’s first Olympic medal in badminton, while Mary Kom became the first Indian woman boxer to clinch an Olympic medal.
Rio 2016
| Athlete | Sport | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| P.V. Sindhu | Badminton | Women’s Singles | Silver |
| Sakshi Malik | Wrestling | Women’s Freestyle 58 kg | Bronze |
P.V. Sindhu became the youngest Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, and Sakshi Malik earned India’s first Olympic medal in women’s wrestling.
Tokyo 2020
| Athlete | Sport | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saikhom Mirabai Chanu | Weightlifting | Women’s 49 kg | Silver |
| P.V. Sindhu | Badminton | Women’s Singles | Bronze |
| Lovlina Borgohain | Boxing | Women’s Welterweight | Bronze |
Mirabai Chanu’s silver was India’s first medal at Tokyo 2020. P.V. Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals, and Lovlina Borgohain secured a bronze in her Olympic debut.
Paris 2024
| Athlete | Sport | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Bhaker | Shooting | 10m Air Pistol (Individual) | Bronze |
| Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh | Shooting | 10m Air Pistol (Mixed Team) | Bronze |
India’s campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics saw strong participation from its female athletes, particularly Manu Bhaker, who etched her name into the history books. She became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal with a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol, and followed it up with another bronze in the Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh. This achievement made her the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic edition. Despite a narrow miss for a third medal, Manu Bhaker’s performance stood out as a highlight for Indian women at the Games. Although Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth, the presence of multiple returning Olympic medalists, including P.V. Sindhu and Lovlina Borgohain, reflected the growing strength and consistency of Indian women on the Olympic stage.
Conclusion
The achievements of these remarkable women have not only brought laurels to the nation but have also inspired countless others to pursue excellence in sports. Their legacy continues to motivate the next generation of athletes to aim for Olympic success.
