International Women’s Day 2026: Trailblazing Athletes And Cricketers Who Inspire

Last Updated:March 08, 2026, 08:45 IST

International Women’s Day 2026: From Smriti Mandhana to PV Sindhu, many athletes have inspired generations with their achievements.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8. The day recognises the achievements of women across different fields and highlights the importance of equality and opportunity. It also draws attention to issues such as women’s rights, safety,

and fair representation in society.

Sports is one area where women have steadily broken barriers and proved their strength. Over the years, several Indian athletes and cricketers have made the country proud with their achievements on the global stage. Their journeys have inspired young athletes

and shown that determination and hard work can overcome many challenges.

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Indian Cricketers Who Changed The Game

Women’s cricket in India has grown rapidly in recent years, and several players have played an important role in this journey.

Smriti Mandhana is one of the most recognised names in women’s cricket today. She was recently honoured by Mattel with a special Barbie doll as part of the 2026 “Barbie Dream Team." This made her the first cricketer to receive such recognition, showing her

influence in the sport.

Mithali Raj is another legendary figure in Indian cricket. Often called the “Lady Tendulkar of Indian Women’s Cricket," she holds the record as the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket. She also became the first player to score more than 7,000

runs in One Day Internationals.

Harmanpreet Kaur has also played a major role in shaping modern women’s cricket in India. Known for her aggressive style and leadership, she has helped lead the national team through several important matches and tournaments.

Athletes Who Inspired Generations

India has also seen many women shine in athletics, boxing, tennis, and other sports. Their success stories continue to inspire the next generation.

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Mary Kom is one of the most celebrated athletes in the country. The boxer has won six World Championship titles and became the first Indian woman boxer to win an Olympic medal. Her career has been marked by determination and resilience, including her return

to the ring after becoming a mother.

PT Usha, often called the “Queen of Indian Track and Field," dominated athletics in the 1980s. Her achievements on the track inspired many young women to take up athletics and pursue sports professionally.

Sania Mirza changed the face of Indian tennis. She became one of the top-ranked doubles players in the world and broke several barriers as a Muslim woman competing in a male-dominated sport. Her success encouraged many young girls in India to pursue tennis.

Saina Nehwal also created history in badminton. She became the first Indian badminton player to reach the world number one ranking and later won an Olympic bronze medal at the London 2012 Games. Her achievement made badminton more popular across the country.

Athletes Who Built India’s Olympic Success

Indian women athletes have also made their mark at the Olympic Games and other major competitions.

One of the earliest milestones came at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in weightlifting, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Her achievement gave confidence to many athletes who followed.

Sakshi Malik later created history at the Rio 2016 Olympics when she won bronze in wrestling. She became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal. In her bronze medal match against Kyrgyzstan’s Aisuluu Tynybekova, she was trailing in the final

seconds before making a remarkable move to secure the win.

PV Sindhu also became one of India’s biggest sporting stars. She won a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals in badminton. She was also part of the Indian women’s team that won a historic gold medal at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia.

Mirabai Chanu continued the legacy in weightlifting. A world champion in 2017, she won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the 49kg category. She has also won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

New Generation Athletes Continue To Shine

Several younger athletes are also making headlines with their performances.

Manu Bhaker has emerged as one of India’s most successful shooters. She won two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s individual and mixed team 10m air pistol events. This made her the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal and

also the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at the same edition of the Olympics.

Bhaker began shooting at the age of 14 and quickly made a name for herself. At 16, she became the youngest Indian to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal in 2018. She has since gone on to win several medals at major events including the Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, and World Cups.

Other athletes have also made strong contributions to Indian sports. Hima Das, known as the “Dhing Express," rose from a small village to become an international track star. Dutee Chand has made headlines as a leading sprinter and national record holder while

also speaking out against unfair policies in sports.

Golfer Aditi Ashok has represented India on global tours such as the LPGA and Ladies European Tour. Her performances have helped bring more attention to golf in India.

International Athletes Who Inspire The World

Women athletes around the world have also played a major role in shaping modern sports.

Serena Williams from the United States remains one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Footballer Chloe Kelly from the United Kingdom, Australian professional surfer Stephanie Gilmore, and Mexican race car driver Regina

Sirvent Alvarado are also examples of women making their mark in different sports.

Other inspiring figures include research astronaut Kellie Gerardi from the United States, expedition climber Zoja Skubis from Poland, and German pop artist Helene Fischer, who have achieved recognition in their respective fields.

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