In 2015, among the 104 Padma Awardees, only 6 sports person could earn the award. The Six Sports persons are Satpal Singh, Mithali Raj, PV Sindhu, Ms. Saba Anjum, Shri Sardara Singh, Ms. Arunima Sinha. Guru Satpal earned Padma Bhushan, while others earned Padma Shri. Here is a brief detail about all of them.
Satpal Singh: Padma Bhushan
Popularly known as Guru Satpal, he is a wrestling coach at present and a former wrestler who won Gold medal in 1982 Asian Games in Heavyweight, Silver in 1978 Asian Games in Heavyweight and a Bronze medal in 1974 Asian Games in 82 Kg. He has also won three consecutive silver medals in Commonwealth Games in 1974, 1978 and 1982.
He is also known as the coach of two time Olympic medal winner Sushil Kumar. He has earlier received Arjuna Award (1974), Padma Shri (1983) and Dronacharya Award (2009).
Ms. Arunima Sinha: Padma Shri
Arunima “Sonu” Sinha is the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest. Being also the first Indian amputee to climb Mount Everest, she was actually a former national volleyball and football player who lost her leg in a train accident. On 11 April 2011, she was pushed out of a train by thieves and another train coming on the parallel track crushed her leg.
Soon, after her operation she started preparation of mountaineering and started preparation for Mount Everest climbing in 2012. On 21 May, 2013 she climbed the Mount Everest after a journey of 52 days. Her book Born again on the mountain was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2014.
PV Sindhu: Padma Shri
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is the young face of Indian Badminton who has entered the top 10 in Women’s Singles ranking at international lelvel winning many international titles. She has won Malaysia Open in 2013. She won Macau Open in 2013 and 2014 both.
Mithali Raj: Padma Shri
The Indian Women’s Cricket Team captain is the legendary women’s player who started playing for India at the young age of 17 years. Since then she has been instrumental in India reaching the new heights, specially consecutive test series wins in the past season. She has also taken Indian Women to World Cup finals and earlier held the reocrd of highest individual test score.
Saba Anjum: Padma Shri
Born on June 12, 1985 at Bhopal, Saba Anjum Karim was the youngest women player in the 2002 Commonwealth Games. In 2000, she started playing for India as a right wing forward and has represented India in many tournaments. She was part of the Gold medal winning team of 2002 Commonwealth Games, 2004 Asia Cup and Bronze medal winning 2005 Asian Games Women’s Hockey team. She had earned Arjuna Award in 2013.
Sardara Singh: Padma Shri
Popularly known as Sardar Singh, the Men’s Indian Hockey Team is synonymous to Hockey at present in India rising to a phenomenal height of great Indian players. He made his debut for Indian Junior team in 2003-04, and for senior team in 2006.
Born on July 15, 1986 at Rania, Sirsa, Haryana, Sardar Singh plays at Halfback position. He has been instrumental in India’s recent rise and wins in different tournaments.
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