Although returning to the professional circuit is no easy feat, Sania Mirza believes that it was her love for the game that helped her push herself to return to the circuit.
Having Izhan is the greatest blessing I can have. He is my inspiration to get back in shape. Making a comeback doesn't prove anything. The only reason I came back is because I love playing and competing.
An inspiring title win in his first event on his return, the Hobart International was followed by another historic feat by leading the Indian tennis team to the Fed Cup qualifiers for the first time.
Strengthening her form with each passing match, Sania Mirza made a fourth Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020, where she was eliminated in the first round of the women's doubles alongside Ankita Raina.
Sania retired in 2023 and was by far the best emerging women's tennis player in India.
Mirabaï Chanu
Mirabaï Chanu may have taken Indian weightlifting to the next stage. A world champion in 2017, Mirabai won her second medal at the World Weightlifting Championships – a silver – at the Bogota 2022 competition. Mirabai Chanu is also a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, her medals d Her consecutive gold medals at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 came after winning a silver medal at Glasgow 2014. She is also a bronze medalist at the 2020 Asian Championships. Her crowning achievement, however, was the silver medal in the 49kg category she won at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, bouncing back in style after a disappointing outing at the previous Summer Games at Rio 2016.
“Since I won the silver medal in Tokyo, several young athletes, especially girls, have been inspired by me. There are very few female athletes in this sport. I want to be a role model for those who aspire to take up weightlifting,” Mirabai Chain told Hindustan Times.
The future of Indian women in sports
At Tokyo 2020, boxers Lovlina Borgohain has also been added to the list of inspiring Indian sportswomen. She won bronze in the women's 69kg in her Olympic debut, beating fourth seed Chen Nien-Chin of Chinese Taipei to confirm her medal. She is one of India's youngest medalists and has a bright future ahead of her.
Nikhat Zareen is another promising boxer for the future. Already a double world champion, Nikhat will aim for a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Several Indian women track and field athletes have also started to impress. Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, walker Priyanka Goswami and runner Harmilan Bains have already made their mark in continental competitions and will be eager to prove their abilities on the world stage.
Even though some women are yet to reach historic heights at the international level, their progress and gradual development bode well for the future of women in sports in India.
