Sporting prowess is just one of many abilities that India has to offer. A fair distance has been travelled by Indians, which has progressed between the most spoken of cricket match to winning medals at high profile competitions in a variety of games. Listed below are some sporting events in the history of sport in India that will always inspire everyone with passion and admiration.
First Super Series Competition won by Female Indian – 2009
When India’s young billiards champion made history in Malta – 2005
As the first ever player in the world in both the point and time categories, Pankaj Advani was suddenly deemed a revelation after he secured the IBSF International Billiards Championship which took place on the little Mediterranean island of Malta in 2005. He also managed to win the World Championship in 2003, when he was only 18 years old, which meant he achieved it faster than anyone else before from India. He has racked up 24 world championships and numerous more achievements thus far.
When a broken jaw didn’t stop Anil Kumble from bowling – 2002
Kumble’s enthusiasm for the sport of cricket even outweighed his fracture to the lower jaw in one of those historical moments when one guy dominates the scene. After 14 overs versus Brian Lara in a Test match between India and the West Indies in 2002, Kumble emerged from the wicket with only a gauze put around his face. It was a draw, but Kumble was the hero of the encounter. Kumble’s 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999 was yet another amazing occasion. The Indians team carried Kumble back to the stand in their arms after Kumble’s brilliant batting (10 for 74) captured the last wicket. The whole audience of thousands of watchers began screaming his nickname. Even now, whenever we recall this incredible occasion, we get goosebumps.
Mahesh Bhupathi & Leander Paes form an incredible duo – 1999
When the Paes-Bhupathi combo performed combined, it really was unstoppable and defied the odds. Throughout 1999, this dynamic duo made it to the finals of all four major championships as well as the ATP Master tournaments, as well as winning the French Open and Wimbledon in men’s doubles tennis, respectively. During the Davis Cup semi-finals in 1993, Paes’ impressive run helped India advance towards the final match. It’s hard to believe that the two of them are no longer united.
When India won the Hockey World Cup – 1975
A 2-1 win over Pakistanis inside Malaysia on March 15, 1975, gave India the Hockey World Championship. Ajit Pal, the team’s captain, and Aslam Sher Khan were instrumental in this triumph. The fact that India has eight Olympic gold medals to its credit is an impressive one in and of itself. Dhyanchand’s influence to Hockey can’t possibly be overlooked. The Indian hockey squad was led to several victories thanks to “The Wizard ‘’, such as the 1936 Olympics triumph against Germany, which took place in Berlin and was seen by more than 40,000 people, including Hitler. Adolf was so enraged by the game’s outcome that he blasted out of the arena. When Dhyanchand denied his proposal of a German passport, he was said to have said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in serving in the military of Germany.”
India’s years of glory in Football – 1951-1962
The Football club representing India had its peak seasons throughout the 50s & 60s, when it was consistently rated amongst some of the 10 largest clubs on the globe. They managed to win the Asian Games in ‘51 as well as in ‘62 , and managed to place 4th in the Olympic Games of 1956 which took place in Melbourne, Australia, under the supervision of Syed Abdul Rahim, the hall of fame coach. Soccer World Cup qualification was a given throughout this club’s prime phase. For a variety of reasons, however, some players were prevented from taking part inside the competitions. Isn’t it time that Indians returned to the top tier of international football competition?