2023 Recap: 5 Times Indian Sportswomen Made India Proud in 2023

By: WE Staff

Indian sportswomen have achieved remarkable feats in diverse disciplines, breaking barriers and redefining possibilities. Their resilience and achievements have made India proud and ignited a bright flame for generations to come.

In the arena of sports, the year 2023 stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit and exceptional prowess of Indian sportswomen who have etched their names in the annals of history. From cricket fields to Olympic stages, these extraordinary athletes have not only brought glory to themselves but have illuminated the entire nation with their stellar performances and unyielding determination.

The journey through the victories of Indian sportswomen in 2023 is replete with tales of perseverance, passion, unwavering excellence, and an array of challenges. These athletes have become role models for aspiring athletes across the nation, setting new records and bringing glory to the country.

Come along with Women Entrepreneur India as we take a look back at some of the most noteworthy feats achieved by Indian sports women in 2023.

Jyoti Chauhan becomes First Indian Footballer to Score a Hattrick in Europe

A former player of Gokulam Kerela FC in the Indian Women's League (IWL), Jyoti Chauhan made history by becoming the first Indian footballer to score a hat-trick in Croatia, Europe.

Jyoti has participated in the Croatian Women's League where she played for ZNK Dinamo Zagreb where she defeated ZNK Agram in the final match.

She scored three times throughout the game, in the 28th, 37th, and 46th minute, giving her team an easy 4-1 victory. The first Indian women's players to sign a contract in Croatia's top league were Jyoti and national player Soumya Guguloth. After a successful trial, both of these players were signed by ZNK Dinamo Zagreb.

Indian Female Para Athletes Shine at Asian Para Games 2023

The Asian Para Games 2023, held in Hangzhou, from October 22 to 28, China witnessed the remarkable performance of Indian para-athletes, who bagged a record-breaking 111 medals, including 32 golds, 40 silvers, and 46 bronzes. Among the Indian para-athletic team were several female para-athletes who shone with their courage, determination, and excellence.

Ace shooter Avni Lekhara continued her golden run by clinching four medals, including two golds in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 and mixed team events, a silver in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event, and a bronze in the 10m air rifle prone SH1 event. She also set a new Asian record of 249.8 points in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 final.

19-year-old Badminton player, Palak Kohli was the most successful Indian para-athlete at the Asian Para Games 2023, with a total of five medals to her name. Mansi Joshi, another badminton champion won a gold medal in the women's singles SL4 event, defeating world number one Leani Ratri Oktila of Indonesia in the final. She also won a silver medal in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 event with Nithya Sre and a bronze medal in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event with Pramod Bhagat.

Women Cricketers’ Smashing Performance at Tata WPL 2023

WPL is the first-ever women's tournament match played in India with a huge crowd garnering massive appeal. This season of Tata WPL has provided the perfect stage to demonstrate the talents and abilities of the cricketers. Many top female cricketers both from India and overseas participated in this tournament.

Chess Prodigy Divya Deshmukh Claims Silver in Asian Women Blitz

Divya Deshmukh, a prodigious chess player, showcased her remarkable skills and secured a silver medal in the highly competitive Asian Continental Women Blitz chess championship held in Kazakhstan. Despite encountering a few setbacks along the way, Divya's determination and exceptional gameplay propelled her to an impressive second-place finish in the nine-round women's event.

Throughout the tournament, Divya demonstrated her unwavering resolve, bouncing back from defeats and emerging victorious in the remaining seven games. With a final tally of seven points, she cemented her well-deserved position as the silver medallist, falling just half a point short of the champion, BalabayevaXeniya from Kazakhstan.

India Defeat Japan to Win Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy

Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium witnessed a thrilling final performance by the Indian Women’s Hockey Team as they won over rival Japan 4-0. With the spectacular win, India won the ongoing Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023. The Indian side was goals being scored by Sangita Kumari (17′), Neha (46′), Lalremsiami (57′), and Vandana Katariya (60′). Hockey India has declared a reward of INR Three Lakhs for each member of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team and INR One and a half Lakhs for each member of the support staff. India showcased an assertive strategy from the very beginning and built ample pressure to challenge the reigning champion team of Japan. Deepika moved to create an early goal by positioning herself well, but her efforts were stopped by Japan’s goalkeeper Eika Nakamura.