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We take a look at Indian sportspersons who are currently ranked amongst the top performers in their respective sport.
Badminton
1. Saina Nehwal
Indian badminton queen and London Olympics bronze medallist, Saina Nehwal, is currently the World No. 4 as per the latest BWF World Rankings in the women’s singles category. Saina Nehwal, who was in sublime form in the recently concluded Indian Badminton League is behind Li Xuerui of China, Intanon Ratchanok of Thailand and Juliane Schenk of Germany. Saina Nehwal will next play the Japan Open Superseries tournament which will start from September 17.
2. P.V. Sindhu
Young Indian badminton sensation P.V. Sindhu, who created history by becoming the first woman to win a medal for the country in women’s singles at the World Badminton Championships in August, is currently ranked 10th in the latest BWF World Rankings.
Sindhu’s performance over the last one year has been quite remarkable. Sindhu, who was the world no. 29 till May 2012, came into the limelight when she defeated the current world no. 1 and London Olympics gold Medallist, Li Xuerui of China, in the quarter final of the China Open Superseries last year.
Archery
Deepika Kumari was a part of the victorious Indian womens team that returned with two gold medals from the recent archery world cup in Poland (Getty Images)
Indian archer Deepika Kumari is at the 3rd postion in the latest FITA World Rankings in the women’s recurve individual section. Deepika Kumari who recently lost in the quarterfinals of the women’s individual recurve at the Archery World cup stage-IV in Wroclaw, Poland is behind Ki Ko Bae and Yun Ok Hee of South Korea. Deepika will next play in the Archery World Cup final which will be held in the city of Paris from September 21.
Boxing
Devendro Singh (Getty Images)
Devendro Singh, a 20 year old boxer from Manipur, who won a silver medal at the Asian Championships in July is currently the World No. 2 in the 46-49 kg weight category. Devendro, with a total of 1,550 points, is behind David Ayrapetyan of Russia. Devendro, who got a cut above the eye during the trials in Patiala will not participate in the upcoming World Boxing Championships.
2. Shiv Thapa
Shiva Thapa, 19, who became the youngest Indian boxer to win the gold medal at the Asian Boxing Championships in July, is currently world ranked 4th in the latest International Boxing Association (IBA) rankings in the Bantamweight (56kg) category. Shiva Thapa will next compete in the World Boxing Championips which will take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan from Oct 11 to 27.
3. Manoj Kumar
London Olympics quarterfinalist and Asian Championships bronze medalist Manoj Kumar, who was 21st in the previous list has gained significantly to break into top-10 with 800 points. Manoj is currently the World No. 6 in the 64 kg weight category.
4. Vikas Krishan
Vikas Krishan, who won the bronze medal at the last World Championships in Baku, Azarbeijan in 2011, is the current World No. 7 in 69 kg weight category. Kazakhstan’s Serek Sepiyev is the no. 1 boxer in this weight category.
5. Mandeep Jangra
Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra, who has been selected ahead of Vikas Krishan in the 69 kg category for the World Championhips next month is currently the World No. 10 in the same weight category.
6. M.C. Mary Kom
Mary Kom during a felicitation ceremony after her bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics (SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/GettyImages)
London Olympics bronze medallist M.C. Mary Kom is at the 3rd position in the women’s 51 kg. wt category in the recent IBA World Rankings. Mary Kom with 2,050 points is behind Olympic 2012 gold medalist Nicola Adams and Ren Cancan of China.
7. Pinky Jangra
Pinky Jangra, a 22 year old boxer from Haryana, is currently ranked 3rd in women’s 45-48 kg weight category in the latest IBA World rankings. Pinki Jangra, with a total of 820 points, is behind Svetlana Gnevanova of Russia and Josie Gabuco of Philippines.
8. Sarita Devi
In the 60 kg division, Asian Championships silver medallist L. Sarita Devi’s position with a total of 800 points, is ranked 7th in the world. London Olympics gold medalist, Irish boxer Katie Taylor, is at the top spot with 3,300 points.
9. Sonia Lather
Sonia Lather Singh, a 22 year old boxer from Haryana, who emerged as the National Champion in November 2012, is at the 10th spot with 420 points in the 54 kg weight category. China’s Ke Jia Liu is at the top spot with 1,260 points while Russia’s boxer Aleksandra Kuleshova holds the second spot.
10. Meena Rani
Meena Rani, who is the current gold medal winner in the senior women’s National Boxing Championships, is at the 5th position in women’s 64 kg weight category.
11. Lalremiliani Jenny
In women’s heavyweight category, young Indian boxer Jenny is at the 8th position with 300 points. China’s Meiqing Yuan with 1,600 points holds the No.1 position.
12. Kavita Chahal
Kavita Chahal, who recently won the gold medal at the World Police Games in Belfast, Ireland, is ranked 4th in the world. Kavita Chahal, who was the lone Indian boxer to win the medal at the world Women’s Boxing Championships in China last year, has already started working on the plans in advance for the Rio Olympics.
Athletics
Vikas Gowda
Vikas Gowda (Getty Images)
Vikas Gowda, the current Asian champion and national record holder, is ranked 7th in men’s discus throw. Gowda, who is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, finished seventh in the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia. 6-foot-9-inch tall Gowda, finished 8th at the last year’s London Olympics. Poland’s Pitor Malachowski is the no. 1 thrower while current World Champion and Olympics 2012 gold medalist, Robin Harting, holds the second position followed by Estonia’s Gerd Kanter.
