In recent years, Indian female athletes have established themselves as serious competitors on the global stage.
Their achievements reflect not only individual excellence but also a broader shift in how women’s sports are perceived in India.
To honour these accomplishments, BBC Hindi launched the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2020.
Combining public voting with expert evaluation, the award offers a balanced measure of both popularity and sporting merit.
Here’s a Closer Look at the Athletes Who Have Won This Award
2019 – P.V. Sindhu (Badminton)
P.V. Sindhu is widely regarded as one of India’s top badminton players. She has won a World Championship gold medal and multiple Olympic medals, demonstrating consistent excellence in the sport.
Her strong performances on the global stage have made her a key figure in Indian badminton and helped raise the sport’s international profile.
2020 – Koneru Humpy (Chess)
Koneru Humpy has spent over two decades competing among the world’s best chess players.
As a former World Rapid Chess Champion, she has firmly established her place among elite competitors.
Her longevity in a sport that demands both tactical brilliance and mental endurance reflects the kind of excellence the award aims to recognise.
2021 & 2022 – Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)
Mirabai Chanu is the award’s only two-time winner. She earned an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo Games, a significant milestone for Indian weightlifting.
Her journey from a small village in Manipur to the Olympic podium resonates beyond sport, illustrating what is possible regardless of one’s starting point.
2024 – Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
Manu Bhaker has quickly emerged as a promising figure in international shooting. Despite being early in her career, she has already secured medals at major competitions.
Her trajectory suggests she could become one of India’s leading shooters in the years ahead.
2025 – Smriti Mandhana (Vice Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team)
Smriti Mandhana has become a central figure in the Indian women’s cricket team. She made her international debut at 16 and has built an impressive record since.
Now 29, she holds the second-highest number of centuries in women’s ODIs and ranks third in total runs among current players worldwide.
As vice-captain, she played a key role in India’s victory at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, scoring 434 runs in the tournament.
The Broader Impact
The significance of this award extends beyond individual recognition. It highlights excellence across a diverse range of sports, including those that have historically received limited media attention.
This reinforces the idea that sporting greatness in India is not confined to a single discipline.
Perhaps more importantly, the growing visibility of these athletes is reshaping perceptions of women’s sports. As they succeed on international stages, they challenge long-standing
stereotypes and normalise the idea that Indian women can compete—and win—at the highest levels.
This shift is also evident in the wider sports ecosystem. Media coverage has increased, sponsors are paying more attention to women’s competitions, and interest in women’s events is rising across betting apps in India.
These changes signal a gradual but meaningful transformation in how women’s sporting achievements are valued.
As these athletes continue to raise the bar, they do more than win competitions. They reshape how India views women in sports and expand what feels possible for the next generation of young female athletes across the country.
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