Manu Bhaker Wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024

Olympic medal-winning shooter Manu Bhaker has been awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) 2024. The prestigious award, conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), honours the achievements of Indian female athletes and their contributions to sports over the past year.

The award, which is decided through a combination of expert panel nominations and public voting, saw Manu Bhaker emerge as the winner among a strong field of nominees, including golfer Aditi Ashok, para-shooter Avani Lekhara, cricketer Smriti Mandhana, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat.

This marks the fifth edition of the ISWOTY award, further cementing its role in celebrating and promoting women’s sports in India.

A Historic Win for Manu Bhaker

Manu Bhaker, at just 22 years old, made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, a feat that placed her among India’s greatest sporting legends.

Adding to her remarkable achievements, she went on to win a second bronze medal in the mixed 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh, making her the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games post-independence.

The only other Indian athlete to achieve multiple medals in a single edition of the Olympics was Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals in the Paris 1900 Olympics.

The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award

The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) award was launched in 2019 to recognize the contributions of Indian female athletes. A panel of Indian sports journalists and experts select the nominees, following which the winner is decided through public voting.

The award has been instrumental in bringing women’s sports to the forefront and encouraging greater participation and recognition for female athletes in India.

Previous winners of the BBC ISWOTY award include:

• 2019 – PV Sindhu (Badminton)
• 2020 – Koneru Humpy (Chess)
• 2021 & 2022 – Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)
• 2023 – No awards were held

Other BBC Awards 2024 Winners

Apart from Manu Bhaker, several other outstanding athletes were honored at the BBC Awards 2024:

1. Indian Para-Sportswoman of the Year – Avani Lekhara (Shooting)

The Indian Para-Sportswoman of the Year award went to Avani Lekhara, who became the first Indian woman to win three Paralympic medals. She secured a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, adding to her previous gold and bronze from Tokyo 2020.

2. BBC Emerging Athlete of the Year – Sheetal Devi (Archery)

The Emerging Athlete of the Year award was given to Sheetal Devi, a para-archer, who became India’s youngest Paralympic medallist at Paris 2024. Her stellar performance has set a new benchmark for Indian archery.

3. Lifetime Achievement Award – Mithali Raj (Cricket)

Former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. At 42 years old, Mithali Raj remains one of the greatest cricketers in the history of Indian women’s cricket.

She led the Indian women’s cricket team from 2004 to 2022, making her the longest-serving captain in international cricket history. Her contributions to Indian cricket have paved the way for future generations of female cricketers.

BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) 2024 – Summary