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.
This story is from the October 12, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 12, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Nitesh Kumar
Para badminton athlete, Nitesh_Kmar
With you, in dispirit
We're not fully over all the things and people that let us down this year. Here are 10 from the naughty list
Zero in on the meaning
Gunjan Chawla Kumar's Sifr series is meditative and repetitive. It shows that something can come from nothing
An attitude of gratitude
There's so much to be grateful for. But take a close look back at the year that's passed and celebrate how far you've come
Thai until you succeed
Thai cuisine flourished after non-Thai chefs took it to the world. Now, two new top-class restaurants are run by Indians
IYKYK
The year's done, the data is in, we've Wrapped, unboxed and unpacked what we could. Were you really paying attention to all the drama of 2024? Find out here. Answers on Page 27
The getaway without the trip
Cut the clutter, add details, and dim the lights. Here are the best hacks for making your home feel like a luxury retreat
When every buddy wins
Why force a single friend to fit every definition of BFF? A circle of besties isn't betrayal, it's a sign of growing up and spreading the love
This week, we're...
Faking a flex. If you have FOMO about concerts, you’re the right market for Get Your Flex. The Insta-based service sells concert video footage, so customers can pretend that they were at the Maroon 5 gig, or paid ₹30,000 for Dil-Luminati seats. For ₹99, you can also be tagged in a concert video by a cool “friend”, or get a clip that you can repost. Now, if there’s more buzz online than at the venue, you know why.
Man of the moments
Sunil Chhetri has retired from football, but he's not done yet. The 40-year-old legend talks about the moments that defined his careerand why his biggest achievement is off the field
