“Sports Personalities of India” is another high-frequency GK topic in all competitive exams (SSC, Banking, Railways, NDA, Defence, State PSC, etc.).

Questions often come like “Who is known as the Flying Sikh?” or “PV Sindhu is associated with which sport?”

Here’s a simple-English, exam-focused article on famous Indian sports personalities — with clear descriptions, achievements, and a quick revision table at the end

India has produced many great sports personalities who have made the country proud through their hard work, talent, and dedication.

They have brought home medals, trophies, and world titles in various national and international tournaments.

These players inspire the youth to take up sports and represent India at the global level.
Let’s look at some of the most famous Indian sports stars and their achievements.

1. P. V. Sindhu (Badminton)

• Full Name: Pusarla Venkata Sindhu
• Born: 5 July 1995, Hyderabad, Telangana
• Sport: Badminton

 Major Achievements

• Silver Medal – 2016 Rio Olympics
• Bronze Medal – 2020 Tokyo Olympics
• Gold Medal – 2019 BWF World Championships (first Indian to win gold)
• Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee

 Key Fact: PV Sindhu is the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals in badminton.

 2. Virat Kohli (Cricket)

• Born: 5 November 1988, Delhi
• Sport: Cricket
• Role: Batsman, former captain of Indian cricket team

 Major Achievements

• Led India to victory in 2018 Test series against Australia (first-ever in Australia).
• Won ICC Cricketer of the Decade (2011–2020) award.
• Holds records for most centuries in chases and fastest to 8,000, 9,000, and 10,000 ODI runs.
• Awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Arjuna Award.

 Key Fact: Known as “Run Machine” and one of the greatest batsmen of modern cricket.

 3. Neeraj Chopra (Athletics – Javelin Throw)

• Born: 24 December 1997, Haryana
• Sport: Athletics (Javelin Throw)

 Major Achievements

• Gold Medal – 2020 Tokyo Olympics (India’s first Olympic gold in athletics)
• Gold – 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games
• Silver Medal – 2022 World Athletics Championships
• Laureus World Breakthrough Award (2022)

 Key Fact: Neeraj Chopra became a national hero after ending India’s 100-year wait for an Olympic athletics gold.

 4. Major Dhyan Chand (Hockey)

• Born: 29 August 1905, Allahabad (now Prayagraj)
• Sport: Hockey

 Major Achievements

• Won three Olympic gold medals – 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles), 1936 (Berlin)
• Scored 400+ international goals
• Known as the “Wizard of Hockey”
• National Sports Day in India (29 August) is celebrated in his honor.

 Key Fact: The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sports honor, named after him.

 5. Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket)

• Born: 24 April 1973, Mumbai
• Sport: Cricket

 Major Achievements

• 100 international centuries (a world record)
• Played 6 World Cups, winning one in 2011
• First player to score 200 in ODIs
• Received Bharat Ratna (2014) – India’s highest civilian award

 Key Fact: Known as the “God of Cricket.”

 6. Mary Kom (Boxing)

• Full Name: Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom
• Born: 1 March 1983, Manipur
• Sport: Boxing

 Major Achievements

• 6-time World Champion
• Bronze Medal – 2012 London Olympics
• Gold Medal – 2018 Commonwealth Games
• Awarded Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna

 Key Fact: Mary Kom is called “Magnificent Mary” and is the only woman boxer to win 6 World Championship titles.

 7. Sania Mirza (Tennis)

• Born: 15 November 1986, Mumbai
• Sport: Tennis

 Major Achievements

• 6-time Grand Slam winner (in doubles and mixed doubles)
• Former World No. 1 in Women’s Doubles
• Padma Bhushan and Arjuna Award recipient

 Key Fact: Sania Mirza is India’s most successful female tennis player.

 8. Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)

• Born: 8 August 1994, Manipur
• Sport: Weightlifting

 Major Achievements

• Silver Medal – 2020 Tokyo Olympics (49 kg category)
• Gold Medal – 2018 Commonwealth Games
• Recipient of Padma Shri and Khel Ratna Award

 Key Fact: Known for her strength and humility, Mirabai Chanu made India proud on the first day of the Tokyo Olympics.

 9. M. S. Dhoni (Cricket)

• Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
• Born: 7 July 1981, Ranchi, Jharkhand
• Sport: Cricket
• Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman, Captain (2007–2016)

 Major Achievements

• Captained India to three ICC trophies:
  • T20 World Cup (2007)
  • ODI World Cup (2011)
  • Champions Trophy (2013)
• Known for calm leadership and sharp decision-making
• Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna awardee

 Key Fact: Only captain to win all three ICC tournaments.

 10. Milkha Singh (Athletics)

• Born: 20 November 1929, Punjab (British India)
• Sport: Athletics (400 m sprint)

 Major Achievements

• Gold Medals in Asian and Commonwealth Games (1958)
• 4th place in 400 m at 1960 Rome Olympics
• Known as the “Flying Sikh”

 Key Fact: His life story inspired the Bollywood movie “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.”

 Quick Revision Table