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India's sporting history is rich with tales of remarkable feats and accomplishments on the global stage. Among these achievements is the recognition conferred by the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.
In this article, we'll throw the spotlight on four Indian athletes who have not only excelled in their respective sports but have also been honored with the Padma Shri for their remarkable contributions to Indian sports and society through their Olympic medal-winning feats.
#1 Balbir Singh Sr
Balbir Singh Sr. was honored with the Padma Shri in 1957, becoming the first Indian sportsperson to receive this recognition. His legendary status in Indian hockey stems from his stellar performances in three Olympic Games – London 1948, Helsinki 1952, and Melbourne 1956.
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Notably, he clinched gold medals in each of these editions, serving as vice-captain and captain in the Helsinki and Melbourne Olympics, respectively. Balbir Singh Sr.'s world record for the most goals scored by an individual in an Olympic men's hockey final, a remarkable feat achieved in the 1952 Games, remains unbroken.
#2 Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal win in the men's javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics marked a watershed moment in Indian athletics. His achievement not only secured India's first-ever gold in athletics but also earned him the Padma Shri in January 2022.
Hailing from Haryana, Neeraj Chopra's journey to success includes notable triumphs such as gold medals in the Asian Games, Diamond Leagues, and Commonwealth Games. He also won gold at the World Athletics Championship in 2023. Undoubtedly, he remains a formidable force, setting his sights on securing gold at Paris 2024.
#3 Leander Paes
Leander Paes, a stalwart of Indian tennis, was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2001 for his outstanding contributions to the sport. His bronze medal win in men's singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics made him the first Asian to achieve such a feat in Olympic history. Paes' illustrious career spanned an impressive seven consecutive Olympic Games, from 1992 to 2016, making him the only Indian to accomplish this feat.
Leander Paes boasts an impressive record of eight men's doubles and 10 mixed doubles Grand Slam titles. Throughout his career, Paes reached a remarkable total of 34 Grand Slam finals across men's and mixed doubles categories.
#4 PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu, hailing from Telangana, received the Padma Shri in 2015. She earned global recognition with a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in badminton. Her triumphs extend to gold medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in the mixed team event and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in women's singles.
Sindhu's dominance is further showcased through multiple BWF tournament victories. Her relentless pursuit of excellence inspires aspiring athletes, solidifying her status as an icon of Indian sports.
