Did you know?
In 1952, wrestler K. D. Jadhav won a bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympics. It was independent India's first individual Olympic medal.
Murlikant Petkar won India's first Paralympic gold medal in 1972, in the 50 m freestyle swimming event. He set a world record in the same race!
India's men's hockey team has won eight Olympic gold medals. The first one came in 1928.
Try this: Map of champions
Take an outline map of India. Pick eight Indian athletes from different sports, including para-athletes. Find each one's home state using newspapers, library books or a search with an adult. Mark them on the map with a tiny drawing of their sport. Which state has the most champions on your map?
Go further: India's sports awards
Every year, the Government of India honours sporting stars. The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna is India's highest sporting honour; it was renamed after the hockey wizard in 2021. The Arjuna Award, the second-highest, honours athletes for good performance at the international level over four years, along with sportsmanship and discipline. The Dronacharya Award, first given in 1985, honours the coaches who train champions. Who would you nominate for an award at your school, and why?