The Power of Inspiration: Sports and Music Motivating Indian Athletes

Abhinav Bindra, the Indian shooter, was inspired by the music of A.R. Rahman to win a gold medal in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian cricket legend, was inspired by the music of Kishore Kumar to score a century in his debut Test match against Pakistan in 1989.

Vijender Singh, the Indian boxer, was inspired by the music of Mohammed Rafi to win a gold medal in the middleweight category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Yogeshwar Dutt, the Indian wrestler, was inspired by the music of Lata Mangeshkar to win a gold medal in the 65kg freestyle category at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

P.V. Sindhu, the Indian badminton player, was inspired by the music of A.R. Rahman to win a silver medal in the women's singles event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Manpreet Singh, the Indian hockey player, was inspired by the music of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to win a gold medal in the men's hockey event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ajay Thakur, the Indian kabaddi player, was inspired by the music of Daler Mehndi to win a gold medal in the men's kabaddi event at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Saurabh Chaudhary, the Indian shooter, was inspired by the music of A.R. Rahman to win a gold medal in the men's 10m air pistol event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Mirabai Chanu, the Indian weightlifter, was inspired by the music of Yo Yo Honey Singh to win a gold medal in the women's 49kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Dipa Karmakar, the Indian gymnast, was inspired by the music of A.R. Rahman to win a gold medal in the women's vault event at the 2023 Asian Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Manika Batra, the Indian table tennis player, was inspired by the music of A.R. Rahman to win a gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

P.V. Sindhu, the Indian badminton player, was inspired by the music of A.R. Rahman to win a gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.

Bajrang Punia, the Indian wrestler, was inspired by the music of Lata Mangeshkar to win a gold medal in the 65kg freestyle category at the 2028 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Manpreet Singh, the Indian hockey player, was inspired by the music of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to win a gold medal in the men's hockey event at the 2030 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States.