A win for the women

A rally racer who leaves haters in the dust; atable-tennis champ focused on her legacy; a hockey goalkeeper fired up by equality. Three athletes share field reports on what it's like to be an Indian woman in sport today

- Urvee Modwel

What a year it's been for women in sports! Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal, a Bronze, at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Then, cool as you please, she created history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympics with her joint 10m air pistol Bronze with Sarabjot Singh.

The Paris Olympics have been the most gender-equal in history (and 40% of the commentators were women). India's own contingent had 47 women among the 117 athletes. Around the world, organisations are working towards granting women equal pay and the same prize money as the men, plus, maternity leave, safer travel and facilities. Those creepy lists of Hottest Women In Sport? Even they now include diverse body types.

So, what's it like to be a woman in sport in India? Hear it from three champs.

Pragathi Gowda, 26;
Rally driver

What is rally driving? It's Wh racing, but with a twist.

Competitors don't run directly against each other, but compete in a point-to-point format, leaving at regular intervals from different start points. Each participant must reach a set point at a certain time. It's a test of patience and technique.

Gowda didn't know any of this growing up in Bengaluru. But she knew she adored driving. "I shouldn't be saying this, but I started off with street racing," she admits. A friend sent her an Instagram post one day that asked 'Are you a fast driver? Want to be a racer?' It was for an Autocross, a a short, timed event on a dirt or grass course. Gowda gave it a shot and came first. She was 22.

She started racing professionally shortly after. Turns out, speeding for fun isn't at all the same as racing professionally. She had to perfect her left-foot braking, learn to throw a car round a corner, even tweak seating positions. Luckily, her family cheered her on.