Passion and bravery made these Indian women world class athletes

Bhakti Sharma is an open water swimmer, who is not only the youngest but also the first Asian woman to set a record in open swimming in Antartic waters. Sharma who is now 27 started swimming at the age of 2 and a half years and has swum in all the five oceans of the world. She broke world records by swimming for 1.4 miles in Antartic ocean in 41.14 minutes.

Arunima Sinha, a national level Volley ball player is the first Indian woman amputee to climb Mount Everest. Sinha has written a book "Born again on the mountain" which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after she lost her leg in a tragedy. Also, she has climbed five of the world's eight highest summits and has been honoured with Padam Shri.

Deepika Kumari is a 23-year-old former World Number One archer, who is currently ranked World No. 5. She won a gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth games in the women's individual recurve event. She has been honoured with Padma Shri, Arjuna Award for Archery. She is most likely to make India proud at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Deepika Pallikal is a 25 years-old Indian squash player. She is the only player to enter the top 10 WSA rankings. Pallikal also won gold at the Commonwealth Games, in 2014, in the squash women's double event. Also, Deepika has been honoured with Arjuna award and Padma Shri in 2014.

Sania Nehwal is the first Indian woman to receive a medal in the Olympics for Badminton and has been ranked no.1 in the world by Badminton World Federation Women's Singles 2015. She has been honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and Arjuna award for Badminton.

Mary Kom is a world famous Olympic India boxer. She is a five-time World Amateur Boxing champion. Mother of three, she has been awarded Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan, Arjuna award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and became a brand ambassador for 2016 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships.

Heena Sindhu is a 27-year-old Indian sports shooter who became the first Indian pistol shooter to reach number one in world rankings by the International Shooting Sports Federation. In the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in 2010, she won the Gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol team event and the silver medal in the individual category. Heena is a dentist, she obtained her 'Bachelor of Dental Surgery' degree in 2013.

Rupa Devi, a 26-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu has become India's first female football referee to officiate international matches for FIFA. Rupa Devi started playing football during her college days and went on to represent the district, state and national teams. Also, she has been a referee, at local and state levels.

Saba Anjum is a former Indian Hockey team member and the member of the gold-winning 2010 Commonwealth Games team. As a right wing forward, she has represented India in many other international tournaments like Asian Games Oct 2002, Asia Cup Feb 2004 Delhi, Commonwealth Games 2002 and 2006, Manchester, Junior World Cup May 2001, Buenos Aires and Australian Test Series and New Zealand Tour. Also, she has been honoured with Arjuna award.