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With the 2015 Cricket World Cup right around the corner, India has gone into a sporting frenzy. The mouth-watering prospect of the country facing their noisy neighbours Pakistan at the tournament will keep spectators on the edge of their seat.However, 2014 proved that India’s sporting talent is not just restricted to cricket. Tennis player Sania Mirza highlighted India’s growth in tennis, after securing the year-ending WTA title, Asian Games gold and a Grand-Slam title.Shooter Jitu Rai has been consistently medalling at every tournament. Kidambi Srikanth made it a breakthrough year for himself and Indian badminton reaching a career high ranking of fourth.That being said, apart from India’s marquee winners in 2014, a set of athletes proved that there is immense potential for sports, away from the media limelight to do well in the near future.
#1 Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics)
Not the most popular of sports, but Tripura’s Dipa Karmakar did something that no other Indian woman could. She became the first ever Indian female gymnast to medal at the Commonwealth Games last year. Her medal in the women’s vault event put India on the gymnastics map as she attempted a Produnova.
This particular movement involves a handspring double front vault and is considered to be one of the most dangerous moves to pull off. Only three women from the current set of gymnasts, including Karmakar have ever attempted it.
Her performances at the ongoing National Games has seen her win all five available gold medals at offer for her state. Those are the only medals Tripura have won this time around.
#2 Sanathoi Devi (Wushu)
The sport is probably the least known on the list, from inadequate sponsorship to little or no infrastructure Wushu has to fight for its legitimacy at every level. However, two bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games, ahead of several countries, where the sport is a mainstay has given Indian Wushu some much needed attention.
Sanathoi Devi’s bronze at the Asian Games only touched the surface of her achievements in the sport. Devi won one of the silver medals at the 2013 World Wushu Championship held in Kuala Lumpur, India and the other at the 2010 Championship in Ankara, Turkey.
#3 Vikas Gowda (Athletics)
The 2014 Commonwealth Games saw Vikas Gowda clinch India’s first gold medal at an international event in the past 56 years. The 31-year old won gold with a 63.64m throw, which was way below his personal best of 66.28m.
The 1958 Games was the last time India won gold at Athletics, after Milkha Singh won gold in Cardiff. Gowda had earlier won silver at the 2010 Delhi Games.
Considering India’s athletics history, the past few years have seen a massive slump, in terms of talent produced. The likes of long jumper Anju Bobby George have been far and few between.
A lot depends on the rise of Gowda, who is being touted as India’s next Olympic hope. Whether he can live up to these expectations, only time will tell!
#4 Sharath Gayakwad (Para-sports)
In 2014, Sharath Gayakwad created history by winning six medals for India at the 2014 Asian Para-games. He defeated P T Usha’s record of most medals by an Indian in a multi-discipline event.
Sharath won a silver medal at the 200m Individual medley event and followed it up by winning bronze in the 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke and the 50m freestyle. He also went onto win bronze in the team event.
Indian Para-athletics has another prospect in Girisha Nagarajegowda, who won silver in the Men’s High Jump category at the 2014 Paralympics category. He was awarded with the Padma Shri in 2013.
#5 Navjot Chana (Judo)
With four medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Judo is one of the up and coming sports in India. Judokas Navjot Chana and Sushila Likmabam finished second in their respective weight categories in Glasgow.
However, Chana has been one of the standout athletes for India in the sport of Judo. Since winning the National Championships in 2008/09, Chana has been a picture of consistency A gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Championship in Singapore highlighted his growth in a span of just three years.
Another National Championship victory was matched with the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.. Chana was unlucky as a he narrowly lost out to England’s Ashley Mckenzie in the final.
#6 Mandeep Kaur (Athletics)
A gold medallist from the 2010 Asian and Commonwealth Games probably thought her career was over, after being banned for using performance-enhancing substances. At that point, she probably thought her career was over. However, a stellar performance in the 4x100m relay along with the team saw her secure a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Kaur had also participated in the 2008 Olympics, but adopted a domestic life, after getting banned. But, she changed her mind once her two year ban was over. A medal at the Asian Games, saw her return quicker than ever.
She said, “I was shooed from every place when I asked them if I could train there. This medal is a slap on the faces of all my critics, and those who believed I was on drugs.” Kaur has maintained her innocence throughout her ban period.
#7 Sawarn Singh Virk (Rowing)
For a long time, Bajrang Lal Thakkar was the sole representative for India in rowing at various multi-discipline events. However, at the Asian Championships in 2013, Sawarn Singh showed the world that India had several more rowing representatives. He went onto win gold in th Singles Sculls,
Singh went on to capitalise on his medal at the Championships by winning bronze at the 2015 Asian Games. He has also previously paritcipated at the Olympics, finishing 16th overall in 2012 edition.
An up and coming rower that India should definitely have an eye on.
#8 Amit Kumar Dahiya (Wrestling)
A 20-year old changing weight classes to participate at an International level multi-disciplined event is a risk that not many would take. But, wrestler Amit Kumar Dahiya did so right before the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The shift to 57kg, didn’t deter him whatsoever as he went onto win gold at the event.
Prior to the Commonwealth Games, Dahiya had won silver in the 2013 Wresling Championship (55 kg category) at the age of just 19. Now 21, Dahiya is being touted as Sushil Kumar’s replacement in the Wresling realm for India.
#9 Sanjita Khumukcham (Weightlifting)
The 2014 Commonwealth Games acted as a catalyst to the upliftment of several athletes’ careers. None more so than, Sanjit Khumukcham. Against all the odds, she opened India’s account at the event with gold in the 48kg weightlifting category. She lifted 173 kg, only two kilos lesser than the Games record. However, her effort in the snatch category saw her equal the record.
Still 21, Khumukcham is being said to be the next Karnam Malleshwari, who went on to win bronze for India at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. At just 4’ 11. Khumukcham is definitely a pocket-sized performer.
#10 Anriban Lahiri (Golf)
With golf making it’s debut in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the rise of Anirban Lahiri is a welcome change to a country, that has seen some great golf personalities in the past. Lahiri recently won the Maybank Malaysian Open and saw his rankings sky-rocket to 37.
He is now the highest ranked Indian golfer in the world. Lahiri has won six Asian Tour titles and he secured his maiden European Tour victory.
His victory this week also highlighted the composure with which he tackles tough situations. Five shots behind on the final day, the27-year old shot a fantastic back nine to take the victory from the hands of Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.
