India's sports moms shatter stereotypes, get ready to compete at Hangzhou Asian Games
Mary Kom and the six-time Grand Slam champion Sania Mirza are two of the most well-known sports mums in the nation.
The report highlights a number of Indian mothers who will be exhibiting their athletic abilities on this prestigious stage as the Hangzhou Asian Games get underway on September 23. Let's examine these outstanding women in more detail:
Dipika Pallikal (Squash)
Dipika Pallikal, often regarded as the poster girl of Indian squash, has consistently delivered stellar performances for her nation.
Her partnership with Joshna Chinappa secured India's first-ever gold medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow back in 2014. Her impressive track record also includes numerous medals at World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, making her the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 rankings in squash.
In a heartwarming twist, Dipika and her husband, Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, welcomed twin boys named Kabir and Zian in October 2021.
Despite this significant life change, Dipika remarkably returned to the squash court mere months later, triumphing with a mixed doubles bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games are anticipated to be her farewell performance.
Koneru Humpy (Chess)
Koneru Humpy, a Grandmaster and one of India's most accomplished chess players, made history by becoming the youngest woman to attain the Grandmaster title at just 15 years old in 2002.
She also achieved the remarkable feat of exceeding the 2600 Elo rating mark, making her one of the world's top chess players.
In 2017, Humpy took a maternity break to welcome her daughter, Ahana. However, her passion and dedication to chess never wavered.
