The Olympics Games: India’s most glorious moments

India is brimming with talent whether it’s in fine arts, academics or sports. Unfortunately due to various reasons like lack of opportunities or resources, most of these talented people fail to showcase their abilities. But there are some who seize their moment to shine despite all the obstacles. And what’s better to show for it than an Olympic medal? It is assumed by many people that the Olympic medal makes a real sportstar, but rather since it’s such a big platform with so much competition- it truly makes a glorious moment when an athlete wins accolades there.

So here we are with 5 such glorious moments of India in the Olympic Games. Let’s go!

1948- INDIA WINS HOCKEY GOLD MEDAL

In 1948 London Olympic, India won its first medal amidst the aftermath of the partition which had left the country in chaos. It was truly a magical moment and one that inspired and gave hope to thousands of young Indians.

There was a lot of effort that went behind this Gold. From putting together a team to represent new generation of Indian Hockey to defeating England in the finals- the Indian Hockey Federation and the team led by Kishan Lal really gave their all for this Gold Olympic Medal.

1952- KHASHABA JADHAV, THE FIRST INDIAN TO WIN AN INDIVIDUAL MEDAL IN OLYMPICS

In the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, wrestler Khashaba Jadhav won Bronze Medal in the bantamweight freestyle category. He was the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal. It was quite a moment both for Jadhav and the entire nation. Especially for his college principal who mortgaged his house for Rs. 7000 for Jadhav’s ticket to Finland and his kit. His journey really reminds one of these lines by Hindi poet Sohanlal Dwivedi –

“Lehron se dar kar nauka paar nahi hoti, koshish karne walo ki kabhi haar nahi hoti…”

2000- KARNAM MALLESWARI, THE FIRST INDIAN WOMAN TO WIN AN OLYMPIC MEDAL

Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an individual Olympic medal when she won bronze in the 69 kg category of Weight-lifting in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The total weight she pulled off during the match was a whopping 240 kg, the third-highest in the entire tournament. It was truly an uplifting moment not only for Indian women but also for hundreds of potential weight-lifters.

2004- RAJYAVARDHAN SINGH RATHORE WINS FIRST SILVER OLYMPIC MEDAL FOR INDIA

Athens Olympics of 2004 brought yet another glorious moment for India as shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won Silver medal in men’s double trap shooting event.

It was the first individual event silver medal for India and a reason for celebration.

2008- ABHINAV BINDRA WINS INDIA’S FIRST INDIVIDUAL GOLD IN THE OLYMPICS

And of course, India’s first Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing Olympics 2008! Abhinav Bindra really became a household name when he won gold in 10 m air rifle shooting event.

Bindra became the first Indian to win the Gold medal in an Olympic individual event- truly a glorious moment and one that was forever etched in history!

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Apart from the above five events, there were numerous instances when India’s flag rose high in the Olympics owing to the sheer determination and bone-breaking efforts of our athletes.

These moments include but aren’t limited to –

• Leander Paes’ Bronze Medal in Tennis singles in 1996 Atlanta Olympics. This was India’s second Individual Olympic medal after a period of 44 years!
• Vijender Singh became the first Indian Boxer to win a medal in Olympics. He bagged the bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• Mary Kom’s Bronze Medal in Women’s boxing in 2012 London Olympics.
• Wrestler Sushil Kumar became the only Indian to win two individual medals with a silver in London 2012 after his bronze in Beijing 2008.
• P.V. Sindhu’s silver medal in badminton at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• Sakshi Malik became the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal when she bagged a bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.