From Rio to Tokyo, women leading India’s sporting challenge

Whether it was the previous edition of the quadrennial games – 2016 Rio Olympics– or the ongoing Tokyo Games, it’s the women that are leading Indian sporting challenge.

Boxer Lovlina Borgohai assured India’s second medal in Tokyo after winning her quarterfinal bout against Chinese Taipei boxer on Friday.

In boxing competition, four medals are awarded, gold, silver and bronze each to both the losing semi-finalists.

Earlier, Manipur’s weightlifter Mirabai Chanu opened the medal account for the country on the very day, July 24. She created history by becoming the first Indian woman weightlifter to clinch silver.

Before her, Karnam Maleshwari won bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Maleshwari was also the first Indian woman athlete to win an Olympic medal.  

From Tokyo, till date, to the 2016 Rio Olympics, India has won four medals, including a medal assured by Lovlina, and all has been garnered by the women athletes.

Before Lovlina and Meribai, the last Olympic medal was won by PV Sindhu (badminton, silver) on August 19, 2016, while wrestler Sakshi Malik opened the Indian medal tally in Rio by winning bronze on August 17, 2016.

Sakshi became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal. Before her, men wrestlers Sushil Kumar (silver in 2012 and bronze in 2008) and Yogeshwar Dutt (bronze in 2008) won the Olympic medals.

PV Sindhu became the first Indian women badminton player to win a silver medal in the Olympics, and before her, Saina Nehwal won bronze in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Lovlina is the second Indian women boxer to get an Olympic medal. The first was won by Mark Kom, a bronze in the 2012 London Olympics.