There’s a lot of talent coming to the commonwealth from South Asia. In this article, we are going over some famous household names and some exciting and uprising athletes.
First, we have Mirabai Chanu, our Tokyo Olympics weightlifting silver medallist and reigning commonwealth champion. She will now be competing in her usual 49kg category instead of the 55kg division that was expected due to late rule changes.
Second, we have Dhanalakshmi Sekar, also titled as India’s sprint queen. She first shot to fame in the Federation Cup 2021 after toppling and outsprinting three Indian sprint queens, breaking the legendary PT Usha’s 24.6 seconds meet record at the federation cup in the 200m race. Which was set 23 years back before she was born.
Third, we have Neeraj Chopra, who will be competing in the men’s javelin throw in the commonwealth games 2022. He is well known as the reigning Olympic champion and world championship silver medallist in the javelin throw. As well as the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold in men’s javelin throw. (He has since pulled out).
Now moving on to some exciting and uprising athletes who are making their way to the top, we have:
Eldhose Paul, who made history this year by being the first Indian to qualify for the triple final at the World Athletics Championships. With his seasons personal best of 16.99m recorded while winning gold in the federation cup in April, he will be competing in the men’s triple jump at the commonwealth games 2022.
Then moving onto Hima Das also nicknamed Dhing express and holds the current Indian national record in 400m with a timing of 50.79 seconds. Which she clocked at the Asian games in Jakarta, Indonesia. She will be competing in the women’s 4x100m relay at the commonwealth 2022.
Finally, we have Shiva Thapa, known as the youngest Indian boxer ever to qualify for the Olympics games in 2012. As well as five-time Asian medallist will be competing in the men’s boxing in the commonwealth games 2022 in the 63.5 kg category.
These are just a short list of some of the talented South Asian athletes that’ll be competing in the commonwealth games starting this week.
So be sure to let us know of who else you’re excited to see through our Twitter @BritAsiaTV and see you at the commonwealth games in Birmingham.
