2023 was one of the better years for Indian sports, and sportspersons, as a few victories came our way that weren’t expected. That’s why they tasted all the more sweet. While Neeraj Chopra winning the World Athletics Championships gold and becoming the first Indian to do so, has to be the biggest achievement of the year, it is necessary to also mention, some of the moments, which were perhaps as great, but did not get that much attention.
As the year ends, InsideSport brings to you, the best of 2023.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty Win India’s First Asian Games Gold
Can you believe this? India had never won a badminton gold at the Asian Games until Satwik-Chirag did it for the country this year. The duo, who had an excellent year overall, beat South Korea’s Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho in straight games to create history, and also become the first pair from India, across categories, to be ranked World No. 1. Earlier in the year, Satwik-Chirag had also won the first-ever gold in men’s doubles for India at the Badminton Asia Championships.
India Moves Beyond Mary Kom, Nikhat Zareen & Lovlina Borgohain Shine
It is always difficult to fill the shoes of a great player. And when it’s someone like Mary Kom, the task becomes more tedious. But Nikhat Zareen showed why she is the worthy successor of the six-time world champion. The girl from Nizamabad won her second Women’s World Boxing Championship to prove her mettle again. On the podium also, was Tokyo medalist Lovlina, Nitu Ghanghas, and Saweety Boora, who all won gold medals.
India Better than Pakistan in Squash
There was a time in the 80s and the 90s when the Pakistanis not only dominated Asia in squash but the world. But India has improved leaps and bounds in the last two decades, and the men’s team final at the Asian Games was a great example. The team of Saurav Ghosal, Mahesh Mangaonkar, and Abhay Singh won the gold beating arch-rivals in the final. The tie went down the wire, as Abhay had to dig deep in the final match of the clash, to get to the finish line.
Sheetal Devi Best in the World, By a Mile
Archery is India not synonymous with Deepika Kumari anymore. Not the wonderkid for J&K, para-archer Sheetal Devi has taken her spot, and deservedly so. The girl who shoots from her legs became World No. 1 in the compound archery open category. She first shot to fame at the Asian Para Games 2023 and also is the first armless female archer in the world. It’s unfortunate, that Para games are not celebrated in the world as much as they should be, or else Sheetal would have been one of the bigger stars today.
At 16, Unnati Hooda champion-material for sure, as father focused on improving skill
PV Sindhu at number 16 in World’s highest-paid female athletes 2023 list
Satwik-Chirag, predicament of doubles badminton & the great Indian tragedy
Need to wait & see if next generation after Sindhu & Saina is ready: Aparna Popat
India Reclaim Kabaddi Gold at Asiad
After losing out on gold medals, men’s and women’s, at the 2018 Asian Games, one thought that India’s dominance at the indigenous sport was finally coming to an end. But 2023 Asiad couldn’t be scripted any better. With two gold medals coming our way, India is still the best in kabaddi, and by a fair distance. In the men’s final, India beat Iran, while the women beat Chinese Taipei.
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