India's 10 Most Inspirational Sportswomen

BANGALORE: Those days are gone when Indian women and sports did not go hand in hand. Today, all of that has changed. Of late, Indian women are taking the athletics world by storm, with fierce determination, grit and awe-inspiring passion. These 10 women, each in their own way, broke down barriers and boldly held their dreams and in doing so they have brought pride to their country as well as inspiration to women all over the world.

MC Mary Kom: A five- time world champion and the Olympic Bronze Medalist, Mary Kom or the 'Magnificent Mary' has gone down in history for being the first Indian Women Boxer to have won an individual medal in the Olympics. Kom's journey to get to the top position of women's world boxing has been a tough one. With all this achievements she has done for the sport, there are very few people who have acknowledged her feats. Motivated by famous Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh, an Asian Games gold medalist, Mary Kom gave up books for boxing gloves. But she had to hide these interests from her family.

But all that has changed now after her success in the Manipur state women's boxing championship in 2000. Despite all the social taboo and hindrance, Mary has fought all her way to the top. She has become an inspiration for the entire nation, that now Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra is essaying the role of Mary Kom in her next project which, will be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Recently, Mary, along with India's 25 most inspirational women was felicitated by Limca Book of Records. Kom said at the felicitation function, "So proud to be here along with so many great women. Thanks to the Limca book of records for this honour. It is a great honour," reports Saharasamay.  "Earlier they used to say: a woman behind men, but now it’s the other way round," added Mary Kom.

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