National Women's Day: Top 5 Indian Sportswomen Who Have Made Our Nation Proud

National Women’s Day is celebrated on August 9th to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. On this day,  it is a great opportunity to appreciate, honor and celebrate women in the local community and all over the world. 

History of National Women’s Day: 

Women have faced gender oppression at different times throughout history. The first "Women’s Day" celebration in the U.S. was in 1908 in Chicago and New York City. By 1911, national Women’s Day was drawing over 1 million people to rallies around the world.

While the rights of women have suffered all over the world, South African women have fought especially hard for their freedoms, particularly during Apartheid. On August 9, 1956, over 20,000 women of different races marched in Pretoria to protest against the unfair Apartheid government and demand their rights.

Almost 20 years later, South Africa declared its first National Women’s Day in 1995, almost 40 years following the Women’s March on Pretoria. Here, it is celebrated on August 9 as a nod to that original 1956 march.

In recent years, many Indian women athletes have made significant contributions to the sports industry. 

This Women’s Day, we celebrate the top Indian sportswomen who have made nation pride. 

Priyanka Goswami: 

Indian race walker Priyanka Goswami participated in the final of the Women's 20km Race Walk at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Goswami represented India at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing in 17th position. She won silver in the 10,000m walk at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Ramita Jindal: 

Indian shooter Ramita Jindal living in Ladwa District Kurukshetra, belonging to a Jindal family finished seventh in the women's 10m air rifle final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with a total score of 145.3 points. Ramita was involved in a shoot-off with France's Oceanne Muller for elimination but bowed out after scoring 10.5 to Muller's 10.8. She  has won 1 Silver in team event & 1 Bronze in individual event at  Asian Games 2022.  

Mary Kom: 

Mary Kom is a famous Indian  boxer who has won six World Championships and an Olympic bronze medal in 2012. She has also received the Padma Vibhushan award. Her journey from a small village to becoming a global boxing star shows her hard work and determination.

PV Sindhu: 

PV Sindhu is a top badminton player who has won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. She has also won the World Championship twice and received the Padma Bhushan award. Her achievements have greatly changed Indian badminton and inspired many young players to take up the sport.

Sania Mirza: 

Sania Mirza is one of the finest Indian female tennis players. She was listed in the top 30 in Women’s Singles. Sania has defeated top-10 tennis players, namely Svetlana Kuznetsova, Nadia Petrova, and Martina Hingis, in singles tennis during her heyday in 2007. Sania has been also awarded the Arjuna, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and Padma Bhushan honors for her remarkable contribution to the Indian tennis scenario. Sania Mirza has won six Grand Slams, which include three in Mixed Doubles, and two of those were shared with Mahesh Bhupati.