Indian women in sports are shining like never before

With the London Olympic Games bronze-medallist, Mary Kom, being crowned the Asian Games champion after becoming a five-time world champion; India’s women in sports have a lot to be proud of.

Not unlike Mary Kom, Tintu Luka too hails from a humble background. Growing up in the Kannur district of Kerala, Luka’s father, a mason, left for Saudi Arabia when she was very young to support the family financially. Initially discovered by PT Usha, Luka went on to win two gold medals and one silver medal for India at the Incheon games, this year.

Adding to the list of these exceptional women is Shweta Chaudhry who won a pistol bronze and gave India its first medal at Incheon games. This was soon followed by the Indian women’s team winning the Kabbaddi match against Iran.

After being denied the opportunity to play since past two times, discus thrower Seema Punia came back with a bang. Punia told Hindustan Times, “Only my husband (Ankush) knows my suffering. I couldn’t compete at the 2006 Doha Asian Games because my father was ill and in 2010 I couldn’t qualify.” After the alleged doping charges, Punia continued to work towards her goal. She added, “I never reacted to what they said...just kept training for the event under American throwing coach Tony Ciarelli in California.”

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Khushbir Singh, who won a silver medal for the country under 20 km walking category, had lost her father at age of seven. Having been bought up by her single mother along with four other siblings, Singh has seen great struggle in her life.

Other women that need mentioning for their brilliant performances at the games, include Rani Rampal, the hockey player from Shahbad, wrester Vinesh Phogat and MR Poovamma, one of the members of the women’s 4x400m relay who too owes her success to the efforts of her mother. What also can't be ignored is Sarita Devi's  performance. Even though she could not get a medal for the country, her performance was as great as all these mentioned women.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/asiangames2014/from-mary-kom-to-seema-punia-incheon-saw-indian-women-in-a-new-avatar/article1-1271785.aspx