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Biography of Karnam Malleswari: Karnam Malleswari is an Indian weightlifter who is recognized as the first woman from India to win a medal at the Olympics and is named the ‘Iron Lady of India because of her achievements at the Sydney 2000 Olympics by lifting a total of 240 kg in the ‘snatch’ and ‘clean and jerk’ categories. Karnam Malleswari finished third in the 1993 World Championships. She then won the 54 kg world titles in 1994 and 1995. Read this blog to learn more about the ‘Biography of Karnam Malleswari’.
Table of Contents
Who is Karnam Malleswari?
Karnam Malleswari is a trailblazing Indian weightlifter who made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Her remarkable journey from a small village in Andhra Pradesh to the Olympic podium is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. Here is an overview table of the biography of Karnam Malleswari:
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Karnam Malleswari |
| Date of Birth | June 1, 1975 |
| Place of Birth | Village of Amba, near Weightlifting Academy, India |
| Sport | Weightlifting |
| Weight Class | 54 kg |
| Olympic Achievement | First Indian woman to win an Olympic medal |
| Olympic Medal | Bronze Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics |
| World Championships | Gold Medalist at the 1994 World Weightlifting Championships |
| Asian Games | Gold Medalist at the 1994 Asian Games |
| Retirement | Retired from competitive weightlifting after the 2000 Olympics |
| Awards and Honors | Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Shri (1999), various state honors |
| Post-Retirement Work | Involved in coaching, motivational speaking and administrative roles in sports |
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Early Life of Karnam Malleswari
The most important aspect of the biography of Karnam Malleswari is her early life and how she was named ‘Iron Lady of India’.
- Karnam Malleswari was born on June 1, 1975, in a small village in the district of Andhra Pradesh.
- She belonged to a Telugu Brahmin family and had four sisters.
- Malleswari started lifting weights when she was twelve years old; however, because of her thin frame, coaches initially doubted her, but her mother pushed her to continue the sport.
- She was trained by Neelamshetty Appanna, a local coach, and later came under the guidance of Olympic champion Leonid Taranenko.
- In 1990, she broke nine national records in the 52 kg category in weightlifting.
- She won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 1993, becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the World Championships.
- She then won gold medals at the World Championships in 1994 and 1995.
- Malleswari then also competed in the Asian Games, winning a silver medal in 1994
- The 2000 Sydney Olympics had a significant impact on her career, as she won the bronze medal.
- In 1997, she married fellow weightlifter Rajesh Tyagi.
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Karnam Malleswari: Career
She is considered ‘Bharat ki beti’ who moved to Delhi for training under the Sports Authority of India.
- In 1990, she joined a national camp, where her talent became very noticeable.
- She won a bronze medal in 1993 at the World Championships, which became her first breakthrough.
- Malleswari dominated the 54 kg category, winning gold medals at the World Championships in 1994 and 1995.
- She established herself as a leading weightlifter, accumulating 29 international medals (including 11 golds) throughout her career.
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Awards Won By Karnam Malleswari
Here is a table of the awards won by her:
| Award Name | Year Received | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| Arjuna Award | 1994 | Government of India |
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna | 1999 | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, India |
| Padma Shri | 1999 | Government of India |
| Olympic Bronze Medal | 2000 | International Olympic Committee (Sydney Games) |
| Honorary Doctorate | 2021 | Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Andhra Pradesh |
Post-Retirement Life of Karnam Malleswari
After making history as India’s first female Olympic medalist in weightlifting, Karnam Malleswari gracefully stepped away from competitive sports. But her journey didn’t stop there. In fact, her post-retirement life has been equally impactful, especially for young athletes and students like you who dream big.
| Activity/Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Vice-Chancellor, Delhi Sports University | Leads one of India’s top institutions dedicated to sports education |
| Motivational Speaker | Inspires students and budding athletes through public talks and events |
| Women in Sports Advocate | Actively promotes gender equality in Indian sports |
| Sports Policy Advisor | Works with government and private bodies on athlete development programs |
Lesser-Known Facts about Karnam Malleswari
If you’re reading the Biography of Karnam Malleswari, you probably know her as India’s first female Olympic medalist in weightlifting. But did you know these surprising facts about her?
1. Now a University Leader: Karnam is now Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi Sports University, helping shape India’s next generation of athletes.
2. Started Lifting at Age 12: Karnam began training in weightlifting when she was just 12 years old in a small town in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Trained Under a Legendary Coach: She was trained by Coach Leonid Taranenko, a world champion from Belarus, which helped her gain international-level skills.
4. Only Woman on the Team: During the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she was the only female weightlifter representing India.
5. Practised With Stones and Bricks: In her early days, she didn’t have access to proper weights. She practised using makeshift weights like stones and bricks!
6. Turned Down Media Offers: After winning the Olympic medal, she received several TV and film offers, but she declined them to focus on sports development.
7. First Indian Woman Weightlifter to Win a World Title Medal: Even before the Olympics, she made India proud by winning a bronze medal at the 1993 World Championships.
8. Returned to Sports Post-Motherhood: Karnam made a short comeback to weightlifting after becoming a mother, showing her incredible dedication.
9. Holds an Honorary Doctorate: She was awarded an honorary doctorate for her contribution to Indian sports and women’s empowerment.
10. Believes in Grassroots Development: She often speaks about the need to support young athletes in rural areas with better facilities and coaching.
FAQs
Karnam Malleswari is celebrated as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
She won gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships in 1994 and 1995 and at the Asian Games in 1994.
She has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Shri (1999), and various state honours for her contributions to sports.
A biopic on Karnam Malleswari’s life is underway, chronicling her journey from a small village to becoming India’s first female Olympic medalist. Directed by Sanjana Reddy, it aims to inspire youngsters by showcasing her struggles and achievements in weightlifting.
Karnam Malleswari is known as the “Iron Lady” of Indian weightlifting. This moniker was given to her by the public after her historic bronze medal win at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, recognizing her strength and groundbreaking achievement for Indian women in sports.
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