NEW DELHI: India has a rich history in the Olympics, with several athletes achieving the remarkable feat of winning multiple medals.
Manu Bhaker
becomes the latest entry among
Indian athletes
with two Olympic medals, cementing her status as one of India’s and world’s top shooters. And while doing so, she has joined an elite club of Indian athletes with two Olympic medals.
Sushil Kumar: A pioneer in Indian
wrestling
, Sushil Kumar etched his name in history by becoming the nation’s first two-time Olympic medalist in an individual event.
His bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics marked a turning point for Indian wrestling, inspiring a new generation of grapplers. He further solidified his legacy by clinching a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, a first for Indian wrestling.
However, Kumar’s career was marred by legal troubles, and he is currently serving a jail sentence for his involvement in the death of a junior wrestler.
PV Sindhu: Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest athletes, PV Sindhu has consistently performed on the biggest stage. Her silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics made her the first Indian shuttler to achieve this feat.
Not content with just one medal, Sindhu went on to win bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the second Indian athlete, after Sushil Kumar, to secure two individual Olympic medals.
As a world champion and a consistent performer, Sindhu continues to inspire aspiring athletes in India. She is currently aiming to create history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win three individual Olympic medals at the ongoing
Paris Games
.
Manu Bhaker: At the young age of 21, Manu Bhaker has already cemented her place in Indian sporting history. Competing in the 2024 Paris Games, Bhaker became the third Indian athlete to win two individual Olympic medals, joining the ranks of Sushil Kumar and P.V. Sindhu. However, what sets her apart is achieving this feat within a single edition of the Olympics.
Displaying remarkable composure and skill, Bhaker secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event and followed it up with another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh.
Her accomplishment is a testament to her talent and resilience, especially considering her challenging Olympic debut in Tokyo. Bhaker’s journey serves as an inspiration for young athletes across India, demonstrating that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.
These three athletes, each with their unique journeys and achievements, have etched their names in the annals of Indian sporting history. Their accomplishments serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of athletes, proving that with hard work and determination, Indians can compete and win on the world’s biggest sporting stage.