New Delhi: India has had several memorable moments in the history of the Olympic Games, showcasing the country’s talent across various sports. Here are some of the greatest:
1. Dhyan Chand’s Hat-Trick of Golds (1928, 1932, 1936)
- 1928 Amsterdam: India won its first Olympic gold in field hockey.
- 1932 Los Angeles: The Indian team dominated, winning all matches with large margins.
- 1936 Berlin: Led by Dhyan Chand, often considered the greatest hockey player ever, India secured another gold, defeating Germany 8-1 in the final.
2. Abhinav Bindra’s Gold Medal (2008 Beijing)
- Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics in the 10m air rifle shooting event.
3. Neeraj Chopra’s Gold in Javelin Throw (2020 Tokyo)
- Neeraj Chopra made history by winning the gold medal in men’s javelin throw, marking India’s first-ever Olympic medal in athletics.
4. P.T. Usha’s Near Podium Finish (1984 Los Angeles)
- P.T. Usha, known as the “Payyoli Express,” narrowly missed a bronze medal by 1/100th of a second in the 400m hurdles, finishing fourth.
5. Karnam Malleswari’s Weightlifting Bronze (2000 Sydney)
- Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in the 69 kg weightlifting category.
6. Leander Paes’ Tennis Bronze (1996 Atlanta)
- Leander Paes won a bronze medal in men’s singles tennis, the first individual Olympic medal for India in 44 years.
7. Mary Kom’s Boxing Bronze (2012 London)
- Mary Kom, a six-time world champion, won the bronze medal in women’s flyweight boxing, becoming an inspiration for many young athletes.
8. PV Sindhu’s Badminton Medals
- 2016 Rio de Janeiro: PV Sindhu won a silver medal in women’s singles badminton, becoming the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal.
- 2020 Tokyo: She followed up with a bronze medal, making her the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals.
9. Sushil Kumar’s Wrestling Medals
- 2008 Beijing: Sushil Kumar won a bronze medal in men’s freestyle wrestling (66 kg category).
- 2012 London: He bettered his performance by winning a silver medal, becoming the only Indian to win two individual Olympic medals.
10. Indian Hockey Team’s Bronze (2020 Tokyo)
- After a long gap of 41 years, the Indian men’s hockey team won a bronze medal, bringing immense joy to the nation.
These moments not only highlight the pinnacle of India’s Olympic achievements but also underscore the diversity and potential in Indian sports.
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