BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024: Honoring Exceptional Achievements
Manu Bhaker has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award for 2024 following her historic achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Other nominees included Aditi Ashok, Avani Lekhara, Smriti Mandhana, and Vinesh Phogat. Avani Lekhara was named Para-Sportswoman of the Year, and Mithali Raj received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024 award has been awarded to Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, who made history with her performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This annual accolade, organized by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), honors the achievements of Indian female athletes across various sports.
This year’s awards represented the fifth installment of the initiative. A distinguished panel of Indian sports journalists and experts nominated candidates, with public voting determining the eventual winner. Other nominees included prominent athletes such as golfer Aditi Ashok, para-shooter Avani Lekhara, cricketer Smriti Mandhana, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
At just 22 years old, Bhaker’s accomplishments include being the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic medal in shooting, having secured bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event in Paris. Additionally, she achieved a second bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol alongside partner Sarabjot Singh. This makes her the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games since the nation’s independence.
Reflecting on her journey, Bhaker shared, “I have had a journey of ups and downs. I hope I can inspire women, all athletes and people with big dreams. Your journey doesn’t end if you are struggling. You write your own story.” Previously, she was honored as the BBC’s ISWOTY Emerging Athlete of the Year in 2020.
Past award winners include badminton star PV Sindhu, who won the inaugural award in 2019, and chess player Koneru Humpy in 2020. Noteworthy winners from subsequent years include weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who claimed the title in both 2021 and 2022. However, there were no awards held in 2023.
In the para-sports categories, Avani Lekhara was named Para-Sportswoman of the Year for achieving gold in Paris 2024, thus becoming the first Indian woman to obtain three Paralympic medals. Para-archer Sheetal Devi was recognized as the Emerging Athlete of the Year, following her success as India’s youngest Paralympic medallist. Additionally, former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, Mithali Raj, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting her significant contributions from 2004 to 2022.
In conclusion, the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024 event recognized outstanding achievements among Indian female athletes, with Manu Bhaker leading the way as the winner. This year’s awards also highlighted significant contributions from other athletes in para-sports and more. The dedication and success of these women serve not only to inspire future generations but also to elevate women’s sports in India.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
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