India’s Olympic legacy is often highlighted by the men’s hockey team’s achievements in the 20th century. However, the nation has also celebrated remarkable individual medallists at the Olympics. From KD Jadhav’s groundbreaking victory to the recent successes at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Indian athletes have continuously pushed boundaries and brought great pride to the country. Here’s a comprehensive look at these individual medallists-:
K.D. Jadhav- Helsinki 1952
K.D. Jadhav was the first individual Olympic medallist for independent India, earning a bronze in men’s bantamweight. India might have increased its medal count if wrestler Keshav Mangave had not lost the bronze playoff in the featherweight category.
Leander Paes- Atlanta 1996
One of the greatest tennis players of all time, Leander Paes won a bronze medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, becoming the second Indian athlete to secure an individual Olympic medal since 1952.
Karnam Malleswari- Sydney 2000
On September 19, 2000, Karnam Malleswari created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. She earned a bronze in the 69-kg weightlifting category with a career-best lift of 240 kg. She joined the ranks of the only two other individual Indian medallists: wrestler K.D. Jadhav, and tennis player Leander Paes.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore- Athens 2004
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore earned India’s first individual Olympic silver medal by finishing second in the men’s double-trap event at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Abhinav Bindra- Beijing 2008
Rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in the category of men’s 10 m rifle shooting at Beijing Olympics in 2008 and remained the sole Indian gold medallist for over a decade until Neeraj Chopra’s javelin victory at Tokyo 2020.
Vijender Singh- Beijing 2008
In 2008, Vijender Singh made history by becoming the first boxer from India to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze in men’s middleweight boxing at the Beijing Olympics.
Sushil Kumar- Beijing 2008 and London 2012
Sushil Kumar is India’s most decorated wrestler, holding the distinction of being the country’s first-ever two-time Olympic medallist in individual events, competing in the men’s 66 kg wrestling category.
Vijay Kumar- London 2012
Vijay Kumar earned the silver medal in the individual 25 metre rapid fire pistol event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London
Saina Nehwal- London 2012
At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal won the women’s singles bronze medal. She became the first badminton player from India to win an Olympic medal.
Mary Kom- London 2012
Mary Kom was the first Indian female boxer to participate in the Olympics and to win a bronze medal. She did so at the London Olympics in 2012 in the category of women’s flyweight boxing.
Yogeshwar Dutt- London 2012
Freestyle wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt secured a bronze medal at the London Olympics for the category of men’s 60 kg wrestling.
Gagan Narang- London-2012
Gagan Narang secured bronze in the 10m air rifle event, marking India’s first medal of that edition of the Games.
P.V. Sindhu- Rio 2016
P.V. Sindhu created history by winning the silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, in the category of women’s singles badminton. Her journey to the finals featured impressive victories over strong competitors, including Tai Tzu Ying, Wang Yihan, and Nozomi Okuhara.
Sakshi Malik- Rio 2016
Sakshi Malik became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal, clinching a bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics, in the category of women’s 58 kg wrestling.
Mirabai Chanu- Tokyo 2020
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49 kg category, making her the second Indian weightlifter to earn an Olympic medal following Karnam Malleswari. She achieved a total lift of 202 kg, with 87 kg in the snatch and 115 kg in the clean and jerk.
Lovlina Borgohain- Tokyo 2020
Lovlina Borgohain established herself as one of India’s top Olympians at the Tokyo 2020 Games by winning a bronze medal in the category of women’s welterweight boxing.
Ravi Kumar Dahiya – Tokyo 2020
Ravi Kumar Dahiya secured the silver medal in the 57kg men’s freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian wrestler is now focused on winning gold at the Paris 2024 Games.
Bajrang Punia- Tokyo 2020
Bajrang Punia is the first Indian wrestler to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in any category and the first Indian to win four world championship medals. Punia further bolstered his growing reputation by securing a bronze medal in his debut Olympics at Tokyo 2020, overcoming a knee injury to achieve the goal.
Neeraj Chopra- Tokyo 2020
Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal and the second Indian, after marksman Abhinav Bindra (2008), to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
