IndianGaurav

Heroes in Sports

Showing 25–41 of 41 heroes

PB

Pramod Bhagat

A para-badminton player from Bargarh who won Paralympic gold in Tokyo and five world titles, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Odisha
PK

Praveen Kumar

The para high jumper who won silver at Tokyo 2020 and gold at Paris 2024 in the T44 class, setting Asian records, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Uttar Pradesh
Portrait of Purnima Mahato

Purnima Mahato

A former international archer who has coached India's women archers for two decades, a Dronacharya awardee, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2024
  • Jharkhand
RA

R. Ashwin

The Chennai off-spinner who took 537 wickets in 106 Tests, India's second-highest wicket-taker, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025.

  • Padma Shri 2025
  • Tamil Nadu
RS

Rajinder Singh (Senior)

A 1980 Olympic hockey gold medallist and Dronacharya awardee who now finds and trains young hockey players in Punjab's villages.

  • Mann Ki Baat #138
  • Punjab
Portrait of Rohan Bopanna

Rohan Bopanna

A tennis player from Kodagu who won Grand Slam doubles titles and became the oldest man to reach world No. 1 in doubles, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2024
  • Karnataka
President Droupadi Murmu presenting the Padma Shri to Rohit Sharma at Rashtrapati Bhavan, 2026

Rohit Sharma

The former India captain who won the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, and holds the top ODI score, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Maharashtra
SR

S R D Prasad

A Kannur kalaripayattu master who leads the Sree Bharath Kalari founded by his father in 1936, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.

  • Padma Shri 2023
  • Kerala
SM

Sankaranarayana Menon Chundayil

A Chavakkad kalaripayattu guru known as Unni Gurukkal, who taught for over 60 years; Padma Shri, 2022. He died in 2023.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Kerala
Portrait of Satendra Singh Lohiya

Satendra Singh Lohiya

A para swimmer from Bhind who has crossed the English Channel and other sea channels in relay teams, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2024
  • Madhya Pradesh
SS

Satyapal Singh

The chief coach who built India's para-athletics team over 15 years, producing Paralympic medallists, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025.

  • Padma Shri 2025
  • Uttar Pradesh
Savita Punia receiving the Arjuna Award in 2018

Savita Punia

The India hockey goalkeeper and former captain whose saves took India to its first Olympic semi-final, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026.

  • Padma Shri 2026
  • Haryana
SH

Sudha Hari Narayan Singh

A steeplechaser and marathon runner who ran at two Olympics and set nine national records, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021.

  • Padma Shri 2021
  • Uttar Pradesh
Portrait of Sumit Antil

Sumit Antil

A javelin thrower from Sonipat who won Tokyo Paralympic gold with a world record, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Haryana
UV

Uday Vishwanath Deshpande

A Mumbai coach who has spent fifty years reviving mallakhamb and taking it to more than 50 countries, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2024.

  • Padma Shri 2024
  • Maharashtra
VK

Vandana Kataria

A forward from Haridwar who has played for India in two Olympics, including the fourth-placed team at Tokyo 2020, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022.

  • Padma Shri 2022
  • Uttarakhand
VS

Virender Singh

A deaf wrestler from Haryana, subject of the film Goonga Pehelwan, who won three Deaflympics golds, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021.

  • Padma Shri 2021
  • Haryana