PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
Karnam Malleswari
Explanation
Karnam Malleswari made history by becoming the first Indian woman ever to win a medal at the Olympic Games. She achieved this monumental feat at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she won a bronze medal in the 69 kg weightlifting category. Her groundbreaking victory opened the doors for future generations of Indian female athletes on the global stage.
Key Points
- > Karnam Malleswari won a Bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
- > She competed in the Weightlifting event.
- > She is the first Indian female Olympic medalist.
- > P.T. Usha famously missed a bronze medal by 1/100th of a second in the 1984 Olympics.
- > Mary Kom won an Olympic bronze in boxing in 2012.
- > Saina Nehwal became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal (2012).
- > K.D. Jadhav was the first Indian man to win an individual Olympic medal (1952).
Additional Information
Firsts for Indian Women at the Olympics
| Athlete Name | Sport | Olympic Year/City | Medal Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnam Malleswari | Weightlifting | 2000 Sydney | Bronze (Absolute First) |
| Mary Kom | Boxing | 2012 London | Bronze |
| Saina Nehwal | Badminton | 2012 London | Bronze |
| P.V. Sindhu | Badminton | 2016 Rio | Silver (First female Silver) |
Memory Tips
- Turn of the Millennium: Karnam Malleswari won her medal in the year 2000. It marked a new millennium and a new beginning for Indian women in the Olympics.