Top 10 achievements by Indian athletes in 2023

Rohan Bopanna became the oldest to win ATP Masters 1000 title.

Throughout the year, numerous athletes have showcased extraordinary performances in their respective sports. From cricket, football to the Asian Games and Para Asian Games, some individuals have left a lasting imprint on the world of sports through their impressive feats.

Many athletes have set outstanding records and have significantly contributed to the country’s sports culture. While it might not be possible to cover the achievements of all athletes in one article, a curated list of ten significant events that have caught the attention of both the sports community and the general public is provided here.

Here’s the list of top 10 achievements by Indian athletes in 2023:

Neeraj Chopra’s historic win at World Athletics Championships

Neeraj Chopra, once again, etched his name in history by securing the gold medal in javelin throw at the esteemed World Athletics Championships held in August. His impressive throw of 88.17m in his second attempt secured the top spot. This victory marked a significant milestone as he became the first Indian athlete to claim a gold medal at this prestigious competition.

Rohan Bopanna became the oldest player to win ATP Masters 1000 title

Indian tennis icon, Rohan Bopanna, at the age of 43, along with his partner Mathew Ebden, clinched the men’s doubles title at the Indian Wells Masters 2023 in California. This victory marked his distinction as the oldest player ever to secure the ATP Masters 1000 title.

Satwik-Chirag’s gold medal triumph at Asian Games

The dynamic Indian badminton duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, achieved a momentous milestone by securing India’s first gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games. They triumphed over South Korea’s Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho with an impressive score of 21-18 and 21-16, marking India’s inaugural placement on the podium in the men’s doubles event at the Asian Games after four decades.

Virat Kohli surpasses Sachin Tendulkar’s record in ODI’s

In the semi-final clash of the 2023 Cricket World Cup between India and New Zealand, star batsman Virat Kohli, achieved a phenomenal feat by scoring a century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 individual centuries in One Day International cricket. Kohli has also amassed an impressive 13,848 runs in ODI cricket, the highest among active cricketers.

Sheetal Devi’s silver medal win at Para-Archery World Championships

Teenage sensation Sheetal Devi made history as the first female armless archer to reach a World Championships final and clinch a silver medal at the prestigious Para-Archery World Championships. She further showcased her prowess by winning two gold medals and a silver at the Asian Games 2023.

Aditi Gopichand Swami became the youngest world champion

Aditi Gopichand Swami became the youngest world champion in the world cup-era (since 2006). She secured India’s first-ever individual title in the women’s compound category, defeating Andrea Becerra with a score of 149-147 in the final match. This was her second gold medal in the competition having previously won the compound women’s team gold.

Aditi Ashok became the first Indian woman to win a medal in golf at Asian Games

Tokyo Olympian Aditi Ashok made history as she became the first Indian woman to win a medal in golf at the Asian Games. She secured the second position with an impressive 17-under score, achieving rounds of 67, 66, 61, and 73 at the West Lake International Golf Course in Hangzhou. 

Prior to Aditi’s remarkable achievement, all six medals won by Indian golfers at the Asian Games were claimed by male players. 

Sunil Chhetri’s ascension to fourth highest goal scorer

Indian football captain, Sunil Chhetri, etched his name in the annals of international football history. During the SAFF Championship opener in June, Chhetri scored a hat-trick against Pakistan, catapulting him to the fourth-highest goal scorer in men’s international football. With his 90th goal, Chhetri surpassed Malaysia’s Mokhtar Dahari, who had scored 89 goals in 142 matches. Currently, the Indian stalwart has netted 93 goals from 143 matches.

HS Prannoy’s bronze medal victory at the Asian Games

HS Prannoy ended India’s nearly four-decade-long wait for a second medal in the men’s singles badminton event at the Asian Games. Despite his aspirations for a spot in the final, Prannoy settled for a bronze medal after a defeat in the semi-final encounter against China’s Li Shi Feng with a score of 16-21 and 9-21. This achievement mirrors Syed Modi’s bronze medal win in the same event at the 1982 Asian Games.

R. Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the final in FIDE World Cup

Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa ,18, showcased his prowess at the FIDE World Cup in Baku. Despite losing the final to World no. 1 Magnus Carlsen by 1.5-2.5 points, Praggnanandhaa made history by becoming the youngest player from India, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to reach the finals of this prestigious competition.

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