The Olympics fever has gripped the world and India is not left behind. Fans in Karnataka will have a special interest as there are as many as 9 athletes from the state competing out of the 117 participating and of them many are women. Karnataka has produced many wonderful women sports persons who have made the state and the nation proud with their magnificent achievements. Each of them has achieved stardom undergoing hardships and has some unique stories to tell. These athletes have proved that with persistence and determination, you can succeed in any sport. Here we will look at the top 10 famous women sportspersons of Karnataka who have represented the country at the highest level.
List Of The Top 10 Famous Women Sports Persons of Karnataka
Karnataka is home to many sporting champions in different sports like swimming, track and field, badminton, table tennis, etc. Here are some of the top 10 famous women sportspersons from the state who have brought great honours to the country.
- Ashwini Nachappa
Born on October 21, 1967, in Madikeri, she is a well-known Olympian and has been referred to as FloJo (fastest women runner in the world) of India. She is a former track and field athlete who started as a hurdler and went on to join the sprints. She represented India in the Asian Games, South Asian Federation Games, World Championships and the 1988 Olympics (4*4 Women’s Relay). Ashwini has many National and international medals in her name and shot into fame when she outran the famous PT Usha in the 1990 National Open Meet, in New Delhi. Apart from her athletic career, this Arjun Award winner has acted in movies including her biographical movie Ashwini. She is currently working as an educationalist and a social worker.
- Reeth Abraham
Reeth Abraham is a renowned track and field athlete and is a former Asian medalist (16 Gold and 11 silver) in 100m hurdles and long jump. She also specialised in Heptathlon and is a former champion in it. Reeth, an Arjuna Awardee in 1997 has many national championships under her belt and is an active athlete who competes in the World Masters. Born in Mysore, Karnataka she had a long career from 1976 to 1992 spanning over 15 years and has set many records due to her discipline and dedication. She is active in promoting fitness and was the Brand Ambassador for Bangalore Marathons. She is also the Clean Sports India joint convenor and holds the distinction of being the first Asian woman to win an individual medal at the Asian Games as a mother.
- Nisha Millet
Born on March 20, 1982, Nisha Millet is an Olympian and a swimmer from Bangalore, Karnataka. Millet took part in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was the only woman in the Indian swim team. Apart from the Olympics, she has represented India in the Asian Games and the World Swimming Championships. An Arjuna Award winner, she was the first Indian woman swimmer to swim 100m freestyle in less than a minute. She also held the national record for 200m and 400m freestyle for 15 years. Millet now runs a successful swimming academy in Bangalore and trains swimmers of all ages.
- Usha Rani
Usha Rani is a Kabaddi player from Karnataka who is a perfect example that with perseverance you can achieve your dreams. Born into a poor family with 2 sisters and 3 brothers, to make ends meet, the family strung and sold jasmine flowers to earn a living. But with both parents being athletes, sports were encouraged and between her school and job Usha practised Kabaddi. She went on to play for the state and even got a job in Karnataka Police. She was the youngest player in the Karnataka State Police Kabaddi team who went on to play for the country in the Asian Games in 2018 where they won a silver medal. From stringing garlands for a living to being garlanded for victory, hers is a truly inspirational story!
- Anita Nanjappa
We all know sports couple Geetha Pogat and Pawan Kumar or Dinesh Karthi and Dipika Pallikal. But do you know another sports couple, Jagat and Anita Nanjappa? Though not as popular as the other two, their efforts to promote motorsports in the state and India are praiseworthy. Called the Vroom couple in the racing circles, Jagat is the driver and Anitha is the navigator. Together they have as many as nine awards in the motorbike section of the National Rally Drivers Championships. The best part is that the duo in a bid to encourage more racing enthusiasts and bring new talent started a Universal Sports Club in 2002 and that along with many events has helped make the sport popular in India.
- Poovamma MR
Poovamma is a sprinter with a speciality in 400m race. Born in a village in the Kodagu district of Karnataka she has many medals to her name in the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Asian Games including Gold medals. She is a member of the current Indian 4*400 m women’s relay team and is one of the senior-most members in the Indian contingent representing the Paris Olympics. At 34 years, she sets the example that age is just a number and if you make up your mind there is nothing that you can’t achieve. To recall, she was banned for a doping offence in 2021, but she returned to competition and made a comeback to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
- Ashwini Ponnappa
Ashwini Ponnappa is another athlete who is part of the Indian contingent in the Paris Olympics. She represents the country in badminton in women’s doubles and mixed doubles events. Born in Bangalore, Karnataka she partners with Jwala Gutta and has won medals in many international events. They ranked as high as No. 10 and are one of the first Indian women’s pairs to win a World Championship medal.
- Aditi Ashok
Aditi Ashok is a trailblazer in golf in India as she is among the first few women to turn professional in this sport. She plays on the LPGA tour and the Ladies European Tour and also made her Olympic debut in 2016. She has the distinction of achieving 4th place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games. Born in Bangalore, she juggled her studies and sports before turning pro. She is an inspiration to youngsters who want to pursue golf as a career in India.
- Dhinidhi Desinghu
Born on May 17, 2010, she is a 100m, and 200m freestyle swimmer who has qualified for the Paris Olympics, in 2024. Starting it as a leisure activity in 2018, she was spotted for her talent and trained for competitive swimming. She shot to the limelight in 2023, by setting a National record at the Junior National Aquatic Championship. Dhinidhi went on to win several gold medals at the National Games and will be the youngest Indian athlete in Paris. With age on her side, it is to be seen if she can continue her good work and reach greater heights.
- Archana Kamath
Archana Kamath is a rising star in table tennis. Hailing from Bangalore, Karnataka she has won World Table Tennis Championship in women’s doubles partnering another popular Table Tennis player Manika Batra. She is one of the youngest under-21 national title holders at 14 years and continues to win accolades. A gold medalist in the 2023, National Games she is representing India in the Paris Olympics.
Conclusion
The above top 10 famous women sports persons of Karnataka are not only the pride of Karnataka but of the entire nation. These women have inspired numerous young athletes to pursue their dreams. Their hard work, dedication and achievements continue to be celebrated and are also a testimony to Karnataka’s sports culture.