In India, sadly but realistically, sports is a male dominated field. There are female sports star, no one would deny that; but consequential they are is directly proportional to their popularity and good looks than their talent and skills. It might be the general bias of a selective generation or the mentality of a nation heavily influenced by the male favoring traditions and cultures, but whatever may be the reason, it is perfectly safe to admit out loud that though there are many female athletes, there are only a handful of female sports stars. Here are some of the female players in India, such as Saina Nehwal, Mary Kom, Mithali Raj etc who have achieved success based on their amazing talents alone and nothing else, especially not the superficial looks; keeping in mind a well groomed body, commands respect on its own.
P.T. Usha is the closest India has to a female sports legend. She is the first Indian women to ever compete at the finals of an Olympic event. An excellent sprinter, she has set numerous national and some international records. She has won five gold medals at the Jakarta Asian Athletic meet and four gold medals at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games, after which she came to be known as Asia’s sprint queen. She was adjudged the greatest woman athlete in 1985.
Shiny Wilson’s career literally ran along with P.T. Usha’s. Her greatest achievement has been recorded as winning seven gold, five silver and two bronze medals in the Asiad competitions in 1985. Like Usha, she was also conferred with the Arjuna award and the Padma Shri title.
Sania Mirza, amidst all the gossip and controversial issues, is still the best tennis female player in India. Her career graph has had its ups and downs, but this ace shuttler has managed to beat some of the world’s greatest female tennis players such as Martina Hingis and Victoria Azarenka.
Saina Nehwal is Mirza’s badminton counterport. She is famous as the first India, male or female, to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. In 2012, she attained the best ranking of her career when she was adjudged number 2 by Badminton World Federation.
Mary Kom is one of the best examples of the true underdog who overcame all to reach the top. This mother of two hails from the tribal regions of North East India. She is a five time bo0xing champion and Olympic medallist.
Mithali Raj profile has been affiliated to a team event than an individual undertaking. But nevertheless she is the very best female captain that the Indian women’s cricket team has ever had.