India has witnessed a surge in young talent across various sports in recent years, with athletes breaking barriers and making their mark on the international stage. These prodigies have redefined the country’s sports narrative by excelling in traditionally non-dominant fields. From motorsports to athletics, they represent the perfect blend of skill, perseverance, and determination, bringing laurels to the nation and inspiring the next generation to dream big. Here’s a look at five young Indian athletes who are creating ripples globally with their exceptional performances.
Yuven Sundaramoorthy ( Racer ):
Yuven Sundaramoorthy, born on February 22, 2003, is an American racing driver currently competing in Indy NXT with Abel Motorsports. A standout talent, Yuven has already made his mark with podium finishes and multiple wins in the Copper Tires USF 2000 Championship Series. He has also raced in the MRF Challenge Series and the Formula Race Promotions F1600 Championships, securing impressive results. His rising career is one to watch in the world of motorsport.
Jaspal Rana (Shooting) :
Jaspal Rana, born on June 28, 1976, is one of India’s most accomplished sport shooters. Specializing in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event, he earned three gold medals at the 2006 Asian Games, setting a world record in the process. Rana’s success continued at the Commonwealth Games, where he secured multiple golds, including a standout six-medal haul in 2002. His career achievements have firmly placed him among India’s top shooters.
Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting ) :
Mirabai Chanu, born on May 8, 1994, from Manipur, is a champion Indian weightlifter. She rose to fame with a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and in 2020, she clinched a historic gold medal in the women’s 48kg category at the Tokyo Olympics. Known for her remarkable clean and jerk lifts, Chanu has become an inspiring figure in Indian sport, and her achievements have set new benchmarks for weightlifting in the country.
Jehan Daruvala (Racer ) :
Jehan Daruvala, born on October 1, 1998, is an Indian racing driver who recently competed in Formula E for Maserati MSG Racing. A protégé of the Force India F1 team, Jehan won the ‘One in a Billion’ talent search in 2011, which launched his motorsport career. Having competed in Formula 3 and Formula 2, he has quickly become one of India’s brightest racing stars, with a promising future ahead in motorsport.
Pranavi Urs (Golf ):
Pranavi Urs, born on April 15, 2003, is a rising star in Indian golf. She made waves in 2020 with two victories in the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour. Her breakthrough moment came in 2023 when she became the youngest Indian to win a Ladies European Tour title. With her impressive skills and success at such a young age, Pranavi is a promising talent who is poised to take the global golf scene by storm.
