10 outstanding Indian athletes that you might not know about
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.