In every country, regardless of sector, there are always heroes, legends who were masters of the industry and are held in high esteem for their contributions. Some of these individuals tend to even become role models for the upcoming generation to emulate.
A case study is India where a good number of their athletes have made a strong impact in the world of sports with raw talent and a zeal to succeed. Interestingly, their successes have not only brought glory to their country but also changed how the world sees India’s strength in sports.
Also, these notable athletes have done more than win medals. Their success stories have been a source of inspiration for thousands of youth dreaming to be like them. Many of them are the reasons why fans started following and betting on a particular sport. Since sports betting is now big in India and everywhere in the world, it is important to use the right bookmaker if you want to win. In India, one of the best platforms we recommend is 1Win. For people who prefer to bet using their smartphones, the 1Win app provides the perfect opportunity to do so.
Follow as we talk about the most famous Indian athletes of all-time, who conquered the world and engraved their names on the sands of time.
Historical Context
Between the timeframe of the 20th and 21st centuries, there have been a lot of significant changes in India’s sports industry.
But before we delve into that, it is worth noting that the British Colonial Era was the influence behind sports in India. So, games like cricket, hockey, and football were first introduced in the early 1900s, and then athletics. These sports thrived in India till after independence, and finally hockey brought early international glory through Olympic victories.
Clearly, politics played a role in the evolution of these sports, especially when you add the fact that during the mid-20th century, sports were seen as a way to unite people. The new independent India was projected to the world’s stage and soon the country gained recognition.
The next major influence was the economic reforms in the 1990s that brought in good investments in sports infrastructure. Through them, better training facilities were built and talents found enough room to grow.
Culturally, sports were viewed as leisure, but when certain icons excelled, this view began to change, proving that sports could be a career path. Then, cricket’s era started bringing India’s first World Cup victory alongside.
Now, the country is open to active participation in weightlifting, boxing, and javelin. India has grown to accommodate a diversified sporting sector, making it a multifaceted powerhouse. However, all of these started from a handful of men and women who made it to the top.
Top 10 Famous Indian Athletes Who Made History
These ten athletes will never be forgotten by all of India. Each of them climbed to the top of their careers, breaking records while inspiring future generations:
1. Dhyan Chand (Field Hockey)
Dhyan Chand started his career in the Indian Army before he climbed the world stage.
His top achievements include:
- A total of three Olympic medals
- 400 international goals to his name
- Field hockey domination as an Indian player
Dhyan Chand’s unmatched skills made his nationwide impact a sensation and in his time, hockey became India’s national sport.
In 1979, Chand passed away leaving behind a huge legacy. His birthday is celebrated all over India as the National Sports Day, with the highest honor in India’s sports named after him.
2. Milkha Singh (Track and Field)
Milkha Singh is famously known for his speed and how he rose to fame after a personal tragedy during India’s Partition. He grew to become one of the country’s famous sports persons and his top career achievements include:
- 1958 Asian Games gold medals
- Commonwealth success with a gold medal
- Fourth-place finish in Rome 1960 Olympics
Milkha Singh’s success story is no doubt an inspiration to future athletes who are searching for something to believe in. The Flying Sikh, as he was popularly called, also showed the world that anyone can put their names in history books despite challenges.
In 2021, Singh died, and you can watch all about his life in the Bollywood movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
3. Kapil Dev (Cricket)
Retired cricketer, Kapil Dev would go down as one of the game’s greatest. Built like a macho man, Kapil was known for his exceptional batting abilities and among his successes and achievements are:
- Won the 1983 Cricket World Cup as a Captain Over 5000 runs and 400+ wickets scored
- Award of Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1983
Interestingly, Kapil’s show of leadership in the World Cup year made cricket a national obsession in India. The legend has since retired from cricket and currently functions as a commentator and analyst.
4. P.T. Usha (Track and Field)
P.T. Usha is one of India’s most decorated athletes. Her international career started as a teenager before she grew to the ranks of the greatest female sports players of India.
Some of her historical achievements include:
- 4 Gold and 7 Silver in Asian games
- 400m hurdles finalist 1984
- Combined 101 medals in all competitions
- Indian Olympic Association First woman President 2022
Usha’s performances have brought India pride and global recognition in track and field events. Hence, she has earned a place on the famous Indian sports players chart.
She now runs the Usha School of Athletics, preparing young talents for international competitions.
5. Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket)
Everywhere in India, Sachin Tendulkar is prominently known as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His journey began at the age of 16 when he debuted for the Indian national team and within his 20+ years spell, he made notable strides.
Some of them include:
- A cap of 100 international centuries.
- Quality appearance in six World Cup editions
- Played a vital role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory.
- Scored 200 runs in an ODI
Sachin Tendulkar’s role in making cricket the heartbeat of India would never be forgotten. Based on that, he was the first Indian sports person to earn Bharat Ratna, India’s highest award for a civilian.
His retirement was confirmed in 2013 but he remains active as a sports commentator and philanthropist.
6. Viswanathan Anand (Chess)
Viswanathan Anand is a well-deserved five-time World Chess Champion. He was born on December 11, 1969 and till date, some of his unmatched records include:
- First Indian Grandmaster
- Won World Chess Championship record five times
In his prime, Anand spread the gospel of chess in India and helped foster young players to participate in competitive chess. He continues to play in few tournaments, but majorly mentors upcoming chess talents in India.
7. Mary Kom (Boxing)
Mary Kom is a six-time boxing World Champion and an Olympic bronze medalist. Born on November 24, 1982, in Manipur, Mary is renowned for her superb skill inside the ring.
To her name, she has the following records:
- 2012 Olympics bronze medalist
- Six time Boxing Champion on World Amateur level
- 2014 Gold medalist at Asian Games
The champion of India remains a symbol of strength to everyone, most especially to women who are scared to engage in physical sports. She proved that women can excel in sports despite challenges, and through her involvements, she has inspired countless young girls to take up boxing.
At the moment, Mary Kom is actively involved in promoting boxing in India and mentoring young athletes.
8. Abhinav Bindra (Shooting)
Abhinav Bindra is arguably India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist. A short list of his successes include:
- 2008 Gold medalist at Beijing Olympics (10m category)
- Gold medalist at multiple tournaments
Notably, Bindra’s Olympic victory brought attention to shooting as a sport, leading to increased investments in facilities and training programs for the sport in the country.
He now runs the Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance Centre, focusing on athletes training and sports science.
9. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)
Mirabai Chanu is popular in India and rose to fame with her great strides in weightlifting. Her achievements include:
- 2021 Gold medalist Tokyo Olympics
- Active participation in multiple championships and games
So far so good, Mirabai’s success has encouraged women across India to pursue careers in weightlifting, and overrule societal norms. She continues to train and compete internationally, aiming for more Olympic glory.
10. Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)
Born on December 24, 1997, in Haryana, Neeraj Chopra made history as India’s first track-and-field Olympic gold medalist.
Most Indians would know him for being a:
- Tokyo Olympics Gold medalist 2021
- Gold medals in Asian and Commonwealth Games
Clearly, with all these, we can see why he earned his place as one of the top 10 sports person name of India. He is still actively competing and with age by his side, he could be on his way to more achievements.
The Impact of Indian Athletes on Modern Sports
It is worth noting that the achievements of these athletes have elevated India’s standing in sports globally. Their feats showcase the country’s potential as an all round performer in many sports. Their contributions also mean support from government bodies and sports organizations has been immense.
Some of their contributions to modern sports include:
- Global Prestige: Indian athletes have earned recognition, contributing to the country’s image as a sports powerhouse.
- Government Support: Programs like Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) have created structured pathways for upcoming athletes.
- Popularizing Sports: Icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Mary Kom have made their sports household names, canceling out limitations in sports.
Conclusion
The likes of Dhyan Chand, Milkha Singh, Mary Kom and recently Neeraj Chopra are the reason India can never go off the map in terms of sports. So far, their contributions have inspired millions, proving that India has talents to compete in diverse sporting fields.
However, to continue this legacy, nurturing young talent, investing in infrastructure, and embracing technology is important. That said, the future of Indian sports is bright and these past heroes are a solid contribution to that.
