The Sporting Factor

Top Stories

The Sporting Factor
Viirat Kohli

Seek inspiration from these sports heroes that spread motivation and willpower

By Ayisha Alka

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Thu 15 Aug 2019, 3:24 PM

Last updated: Thu 15 Aug 2019, 6:57 PM

Virat Kohli
Currently the captain of India, Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world as well. He is also the skipper of Royal Challengers' Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, being an inspiration for many people. Virat himself has been inspired by Sachin Tendulkar and regards the Master Blaster as one of his role models who made him what he is today. Kohli's hard-work and passion despite losing in the 2019 semi-finals of the ICC World Cup, is what drives many cricket fans to be better players. A lesser known fact of the batsman is that scored a century in his very first World Cup match. Kohli is married to actress Anushka Sharma.
Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri is a well-known Indian footballer playing as a striker or winger, captaining the Indian national team as well as the Indian Super League team, Bengaluru FC. The captain's growing popularity accounts for him being one of the most active goalscorers, almost equivalent to that of Lionel Messi. He is one of India's best football players, bagging multiple awards, including the AIFF Player of the Year five times. Chhetri's ultimate motivation is the pride and honour to represent his country. He is the third highest goalscorer in international football in the world and scored 61 goals in 100 appearances.
Sushil Kumar
Even if India is a cricket-loving country, there are wrestlers that make India stand high and proud. He is the only Indian that won two Olympic medals, and became a state champ at the young age of 18. Sushil Kumar is a freestyle wrestler who won the world title in 2010 and a multiple number of medals in different global sporting events, including a gold medal for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. From a small beginning to a growing career path, Kumar inspires many to see wrestling as a challenging sport. Apart from wrestling, he enjoys football.
Sajan Prakash
Swimming is more or less seen as a relaxing activity for many, but for some it can be a professional career deemed successful. Sajan Prakash, 25, competed in many competitions held in his home-state, Kerala - he created history as he bagged six gold medals and three silver medals, gaining the title of the best athlete of the Indian National Games held in Trivandrum, Kerala. He wants to raise the standard of swimming in India and raise awareness on its benefits. Prakash narrowly qualified in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, clocking a time of 1 minute and 58.87 seconds.
Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal is a badminton player. She has won over 24 international titles, including super-series titles as well. At 29, she attained the world number one ranking in 2015, being the only female player in India to have achieved this. Nehwal is famously named as the queen of Indian badminton. She has also been credited for increasing the game's popularity. Following her mother's footsteps, who was a state level badminton player in Haryana, she achieved her dream of being a badminton player at the national level. Before taking up badminton as her chosen sport, Nehwal excelled in Karate, achieving a brown belt.
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza is a household name for her feat in tennis. She has won six grand titles and many other achievements throughout her career. Mirza is also one of the most highly paid well-known female athletes in the country. Ever since she was a little girl, the 32-year-old player had a passion for sports, especially tennis - she never gave up even when she sustained injuries and would always get up after a lost tournament with a smile on her face. Mirza strongly believes that nobody is always perfect at their game, and that even she herself learns new things every day from her strengths and weaknesses. She is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
Dutee Chand
She is the third woman to qualify for the women's 100 metres event at the Summer Olympic Games. She never gave up on her identity and her passion since day one, despite what people talk about her. Chand has won many other achievements including the women's 200 metres event at the 2013 Asian Athletics Championships in Pune, and won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games. Despite a controversy that had clashed with her career, she continues to fight for herself and stand up for her rights as a female athlete. Chand comes from a poverty-stricken family; her sister, Saraswati Chand too is an athlete.
Jasprit Bumrah
Today's incredible bowler of India who has won hearts happen to be Jasprit Bumrah, bowling at an incredulous speed of 140-145 kilometres. The 25-year-old Indian cricketer who plays for the national team is the first Asian bowler to take five wickets during test innings in South Africa. With his natural speedy pace, it is not surprising that he manages to grab eyeballs as he hurls the ball in a smooth yet naturally powerful way. Currently, Bumrah is an asset to India who cannot be replaced, displaying his talent for being the perfect bowler for the team as he contributed greatly to winning the trophy for Mumbai in 2017.
Manpreet Singh
A growing young sports star since his yearly years and being named as Asia's Junior Player of the year in 2014, Manpreet Singh is now the captain of the Indian national hockey team since 2017. Singh has a multiple number of achievements being the player of India's national sport, which makes him a commendable player among hockey teams. First playing for India at the tender age of 19, Singh is now well-known for representing India at the 2012 Summer Olympics and won Asian Player of the Year in 2018. He continues to win titles and wishes to inspire youngsters to pick up a sport and practice it with love.

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah
Manpreet Singh
Manpreet Singh
Dutee Chand
Dutee Chand
Sushil Kumar
Sushil Kumar
Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza
Sunil Chetri
Sunil Chetri
Sajan Prakash
Sajan Prakash

More news from