Indian Olympic Athletes who can inspire us to keep improving

1. Introduction
2. Indian Olympic athletes who can inspire us

Introduction 

Every athlete in the world faces adversity and turmoil of some type. However, to achieve their Olympic goals, they have to overcome economic, infrastructure, and social challenges. These sports stars of India prove that perseverance and willpower can alter your fate and that success is in your hands. 

A record 115 athletes from India have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. With all odds against them, they created a place in the world for themselves, earned national and international recognition by just working hard for what they love, and never gave up.

Athletes like Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Abhinav Bindra have boosted the spirits of many people and encouraged them. Here, we will be looking at such Indian Olympic athletes who can inspire us to keep improving – 

Indian Olympic athletes who can inspire us

1. Mary Kom – Breaking the shackles of Patriarchy

Mary Kom was the only female boxer from India to qualify for the 2012 Olympics and earned a bronze medal for the country. She’s the most successful boxer in history to win 8 World Championship medals (male or female).

Mary’s parents were subsistence farmers who worked in the jhum fields. She used to help them in the fields and took care of her siblings.

Mary had to overcome a lot of disapprovals to take up boxing. Boxing was considered masculine by society and her father, she also lacked the financial means to pay for coaching. But she conquered them all to become India’s Face of Boxing, and what’s more amazing is that she did it again after giving birth to her sons. We respect how she boxed against the patriarchal culture that outlines a very conventional role for girls to accomplish their dreams.

2. Deepika Kumari – Where there is a will, there is a way

Deepika Kumari’s journey is a typical case of an individual fighting her way out of obscurity. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, she earned a gold medal in women’s individual recurve. 

Her purpose for going to the Kharsawan training camp was only to lessen the burden of her family as they provided food and accommodation to the learners. She lacked intent at first and got rejected. However, she requested three months where she would train and prove herself worthy of selection. Since the family could not afford professional archery equipment, she started training using mangoes as targets with her homemade bows and arrows.

She never looked back and reached World #1 rank at the age of 18. Deepika Kumari is the living proof that a poor girl born on the village’s wayside can change her fate through hard work and dedication.

3. Vijender Singh – A jab for a job

Vijender Singh earned a silver medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He was India’s first Olympian in boxing and won a bronze medal in boxing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

With his father working as a bus driver and his brother serving in the army, he only took up boxing to have a steady income. Initially, he got rejected for the position of railway ticket collector. But he persisted in his career in boxing, hoping to make ends meet. Olympic dreams were far from thought, but soon those aspirations turned into a reality. 

He competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics for the first time. It’s impossible to think about Indian boxing history without mentioning Vijendra Singh’s name. 

4. Bhawna Jat – Changing mindsets

The 24-year-old from Rajasthan’s small town of Kabra has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics as India’s first female race walker.

Apart from the financial problems, Bhawna also had to move past numerous social barriers. The village panchayat banned her from training on the mud field near her house after seeing her train in shorts. The endless support of her father and brother helped her achieve her dreams. To escape the eyes of the villagers, she started practicing as early as 3 am. 

Her efforts paid off when she earned a silver medal at a national event while studying in school. Jat’s achievement in the face of adversity has made her a national hero.

5. Lovlina Borgohain – Dream big

Presently the highest-ranked Indian female pugilist, World No. 3 (69 kg), Lovlina Borgohain’s journey to the Olympics began in the tiny village of Assam.

Her father is a tea garden worker and a sports enthusiast. Lovlina was drawn to kickboxing at an early stage and even participated at the national level. However, later she decided to switch to boxing. 

Borgohain’s dream to take part in the Olympics came true with the qualification after the Sports Authority of India (SAI) took her in. Her father’s trust in her paved the way to dream big.

6. Devendra Jhajharia – One good arm, two world records

Devendra became the second gold medalist in India at the Rio Paralympics after breaking his world record in the men’s F46 Javelin Throw. It was a historic moment, as he became the first Indian to win two individual Gold medals at the Paralympics/Olympics.

At the age of 8, he lost his left hand after accidentally touching an electric wire while trying to climb a tree. The incident could have stalled any kid, but it turned out to be the beginning of this soon-to-be star athlete’s journey.

Jhajharia has mentioned many times, “I liked [javelin throw] because I could do it with one arm.” It is a simple but powerful statement that encapsulates the 40-year-old’s attitude toward discovering and pursuing his passion.

7. Dattu Baban Bhokanal – Beating the odds

Dattu won India a gold medal in the sailing event at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia and now aims to win a medal for the country at the Tokyo Olympics. 

He was in the fifth standard when he decided to earn with his father as a daily labourer and joined the Indian Army after his father died. It was from here that a new chapter of Dattu’s life began.

He overcame his fear of water and started training in sailing under the guidance of his coach. In 2013, he was inducted into the Army Rowing Node (ARN). After six months of training in Pune, he won two gold medals in the Senior National Championship, and his confidence got stronger. 

It never ceases to amaze anyone how a person who had never been near the water until a few years ago could row to 15th place in the Rio Olympics.

8. Deepa Karmakar – Passion over pain

Deepa was born with flat- feet, a condition which is deemed unfavorable for gymnasts. But still, she created history by presenting the life-threatening stunt- Produnova Vault at the Rio Olympics, a stunt which till date has been performed by only five women worldwide, and attained 4th position. 

She won a billion hearts for her tireless efforts. Her training grounds in Tripura used to get swamped. Despite the insufficiency of training facilities and financial support from the Sports Ministry, her commitment was unshakable. She trusted only in herself and her coach.

And by holding this mindset, Deepa has proved that nothing can stop you if you are determined. She was also the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 52 years.

9. PT Usha – Hard work and perseverance pays

PT Usha was the youngest Indian sprinter to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics at the age of 16. Her fourth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics is the closest an Indian female athlete has been to win an Olympic medal on the track. 

But she is not just a winner in the world of athletics. This sporting legend has prevailed in life’s race by overcoming humble beginnings, financial problems, lack of services, and illnesses to develop into one of the remarkable athletes to have represented India in the Olympics. She also hushed her naysayers by becoming successful after marrying and having a child. 

She is one of the flag bearers in the history of Indian women athletes, who exhibited what a woman is capable of and had the country cheering for a girl. Being one of India’s most inspiring women and athletes, her accomplishments speak for herself. Usha’s passion for athletics is evident in the fact that she continues to coach young athletes at her Kerela training academy. 

10. Bhawani Devi – Dare to be different

Bhawani Devi always wanted to pursue a career in sports but was never sure which sport to try. The MBA graduate was introduced to fencing by chance. 

She started training with Bamboo sticks as the Fencing swords were costly. Her parents went out of their financial competence to back her with all the training equipment. To keep her fencing career going, her mother had to pawn her jewellery.

Bhawani’s first major achievement was achieved in the 2014 Asian Fencing Championship, where she won silver. With her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, she becomes the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics.

We can not wait to see some of these athletes compete in Tokyo in 2021! Whatever happens, they are all winners in our eyes. 

It is rightly said, “Dreams don’t work until you do.” These Olympians have put their sweat and tears into fulfilling their dream of representing India in the Olympics. If the stories of these Indian Olympic athletes have encouraged you to work on your skills and knowledge, then MBA courses by Great Learning can guide you in the right direction. Earn an MBA degree from Top Indian Universities and Institutions and transform your career. It is ideal for individuals who want to learn while they earn. What are you waiting for?