New Delhi, May 31: Karnam Malleshwari is a renowned weightlifter from India. She has showcased her talent and skill on international platforms, winning medals for her country. Notably, she is the first female athlete from India to win a medal at the Olympics.
Born on June 1, 1975, in Vusavani Peta, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, Malleshwari began her career at the age of 12. Her training commenced under the guidance of Neelamsetty Appanna. To pursue better training opportunities, she moved to Delhi, where she became associated with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). In 1990, she joined the national camp, marking the beginning of her journey to success at both national and international levels.
Malleshwari’s achievements include winning gold medals in the 54 kg category at the World Championships in 1994 and 1995, along with bronze medals in the 1993 and 1996 World Championships. She also secured silver medals at the Asian Games in 1994 and 1998. Her most significant and historic achievement came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she won a bronze medal in the 69 kg weight category. With this medal, she became the first Indian female athlete to win an Olympic medal and the first athlete (male or female) from India to win a medal in weightlifting.
After a disappointing performance at the 2004 Olympics, she decided to retire from the sport.
For her remarkable contributions to weightlifting, Malleshwari was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1994. She also received the Padma Shri award in 1999 and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in the same year. In June 2021, she was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the sports university established by the Delhi government.
Malleshwari’s hard work and success on international platforms serve as an inspiration for athletes, especially women, who aspire to build a career in sports.
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