Rio Olympics 2016: When Indian women bared their sporting claws

Docile they are not. Let that sink in first.

India’s 2016 Olympic stars PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, and Dipa Karmakar stand tall amidst shattered glass ceilings, prejudices, and apathy. These women have smashed, punched, and vaulted their way forward in a country that counts on its sons for success and sees its daughters as the meek ones to be married off.

Over the last two weeks, the Indian contingent at Rio has crossed a series of hurdles, including a doping scandal and official indifference, to claw back into the reckoning for medals. This fightback has been led mostly by its women members.

While shuttler Sindhu has won silver, wrestler Malik secured a bronze. Earlier, gymnast Karmakar did what was unthinkable for India till she actually did it: entering the women’s vault finals and coming fourth.

Their winning performances were about passion, grit, hard work, and inspiration. The exemplary dedication of India’s sportswomen had to be seen to be believed.

Here are some images of their sweat and glory: