9 Inspiring Indian Sportswomen Who Have Triumphed Against The Odds

Posted: May 30, 2016

These inspiring Indian sportswomen have battled the odds and come out winners, in a country that does not always give them their due.

In a country where female foeticide is rampant and girls are considered to be a burden, it may come as no shock that female athletes are neither encouraged nor treated at par with their male counterparts. But here’s a list of women who have excelled despite the circumstances. They never let their problems come in the way of their success.

Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to have climbed Mt Everest in the year 1984 , but little do people know she opposed stiff opposition from society and family in doing so. Being a girl from a rural family, people did not understand the reason behind giving up everything to climb a mountain!.

Check it out!

Arunima Sinha

Originally a national level volleyball player, she is now the first amputee to climb Mt Everest. She lost her leg after falling out of a train in order to save herself from a group of hooligans who were trying to steal her gold chain. She is a perfect example of the saying “Where there’s a will , there is a way”. Her life is truly inspirational.

Geeta Phogat

She has helped India win it’s first ever gold medal in wrestling in the 55 kg freestyle category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. During her childhood, she and her family suffered stiff opposition and hatred from the community because wrestling was considered a boys game in Haryana. However she has now shut up all those voices with her gold medal.

Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla

Being paralyzed from the waist below did not deter her motivation or drive to achieve something in her life. She went on to become India’s most celebrated international para athlete. She was won over 400 medals for our country.

Sarjubala Devi

Also known as ‘Punching machine’ among her coaches, she is from a small town in Manipur, and wants to make her name in the boxing arena. Just like her ideal Mary Kom, she has risen from her humble background to make the nation proud.

Jhulan Goswami

Born in a middle class family in Bengal, little did her family know that she would becomes the fastest bowler in women’s cricket. She had to commute two hours each way, three times a week to practice. She had to face a lot of difficulties being a girl, during the journey. But all this did not let her lose her love for cricket.

Santhi Soundarajan

She is the first Tamilian woman ever to have won a medal in the Asian games. She was born to an extremely poor family that could not afford to have two meals a day. Yet she rose above that to win a silver medal in the 2006 Asian games in Doha. Unfortunately, after failing a gender verification test, she was stripped of her medal.

P Udaya Lakshmi

Once a celebrated sprinter in India. But her dream ran short after she failed a dope test and was banned from running. Later on it was revealed was she wasn’t the only one to use dope. This was followed by a complete boycott of all involved by the athletics fraternity.

However she made a comeback by winning a national gold medal for shot-put.

Kavita Raut

Born to a tribal family in Nasik, she didn’t have any kind of resources but was spotted while running barefoot in a national school level meet by SAI coach Vijendra Singh. From there her journey to win the bronze medal in the 2010 Commonwealth games is commendable.

Liked what you read?

Join the Women’s Web Network for women at work by filling in the form below. You will receive a monthly newsletter from us with great resources, plus we’ll keep you posted on all Women’s Web events in your city!