How many medals have India won in badminton over the years in Olympics?
Badminton has been a sport that has witnessed a sudden growth in the country. The sport was already in the shadows and the players have done an exceptional job over the years.
India has won a total of 120 medals in Badminton over the years when it comes to the individual segment. The highest number of medals for the country has come in the South Asian Games (48) and the Commonwealth Games (27).
When it comes to the team sport, India has won a total of 31 medals across all the competitions. India has dominated the sport in the South Asian Games since 2004 in Men's and Women's teams. Since the beginning of the tournament in 2004, India has been the champion in the South Asian Games for both genders.
The golden period of Badminton in India began when Pullela Gopichand made headlines by clinching a silver in the Men's team and a Bronze in Men's singles during the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur. It was the beginning of a new dawn for the sport in the country and the future looked bright.
However, it took another decade for the sport to shine on a bigger stage like the Olympics. Saina Nehwal became the torch bearer after Gopichand and became the first Indian player to win a medal in Badminton for India in the Olympics.
In her second appearance at the Olympics, Saina Nehwal clinched a bronze medal for the country during the 2012 London Olympics.
That was a major turning point for the sport in India and now there is a long line of talented players waiting to prove their mettle at the big stage.
PV Sindhu - India's hope for a Medal in Badminton in Paris 2024 Olympics
Saina Nehwal started the fire in the young generation and India got PV Sindhu to continue it in the Olympics. Sindhu is participating in her third Olympics this year and the player has already won two Olympic medals for India in the sport.
She first stood out during the Rio Olympics 2016 by winning a silver medal for the country. She became the first player from India to achieve the feat in the sport. Her second achievement came during the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as she stood on the podium with a bronze medal.
As she gears up for the Paris Olympics 2024, Sindhu carries the burden of hopes for India. History is in the making for the Indian Badminton Champion.