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The current generation of Indian sportspersons have helped India not only win world championships, but also secure their highest tally of Olympic medals in 2012. It is a clear indicator that the athletes under the age of 25 are the ones, who are on the verge of reaching their sporting peak.The likes of Saina Nehwal have not only helped India earn Olympic success, but they have also consistently proved that they are the best in the world. Currently ranked third in the world, Nehwal is spearheading the young brigade past the sporting barriers in the country to international prominence.Here are the top 10 Indian sportspersons under the age of 25:
#1 Saina Nehwal (Badminton)
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The 24-year old attained a career best ranking of 2 in 2010. Since then Nehwal has been in top form. She reached her peak in 2012, when she secured a bronze medal for the country. However, Nehwal went onto add that anything less than a gold medal was not enough.
Apart from these achievements, she has also secured the gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and various youth championship. Nehwal has won 15 career titles including the 2014 Hong Kong Super Series.
Her meteoric rise has given women’s badminton a recognisable face and several high level players such as P V Sindhu some inspiration.
#2 Deepika Kumari (Archery)
Currently ranked 14th in the world, Kumari was ranked world no. 1 at the 2012 London Olympics aged just 20. She also secured the gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in both the individual and team events.
The 20-year old also won three consecutive silver medals at the World Cup in 2011, 2012 and 2013. At just 20, Kumari has a lot of time to actually taste Olympic success. Trained at the Tata Academy, she made the transition from being a top junior to seasoned pro in no time.
#3 Mohammed Shami (Cricket)
A recent addition in the Indian national cricket team, Shami is currently India’s leading wicket-taker at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. The 24-year old from Bengal has already taken 76 wickets in 42 ODI’s. He has also taken 47 wickets in 12 test matches.
Born in Uttar Pradesh, but due to politics he couldn’t make it into the team. However, Bengal gave him a chance and he grabbed it with both hands. He has taken 118 wickets in 27 matches for the state, making him one of the best bowlers in the country.
#4 Dipika Pallikal (Squash)
The first Indian women’s squash player, who broke into the top 10 of the world rankings is also one of the most successful in recent times. She became the world number 10 in December 2012 and currently holds the 14th spot.
Her gold medal along with Joshna Chinappa in the women’s doubles event also became the first ever for squash in the country. She has also won six WSA titles and trains under Dronacharya awardee Cyrus Poncha and Sarah Fitzgerald.
#5 Yuki Bhambri (Tennis)
A former junior world no. 1, Bhambri became the fourth Indian tennis player to win a individual junior Grand-Slam event. The 22-year old secured the 2009 Australian Open. Bhambri is also a regular for Indian Davis Cup squad.
In March 2014, Bhambri attained his highest ranking of 143rd in the world, he is currently ranked 297th in the world. His best finish at a Grand-Slam singles even so far has been the second round of the US Open.
He partners Divij Sharan in the doubles competition.
#6 Romeo Fernandes (Football)
The 22-year old recently signed for Brasileirao side signed for Atletico Parnaense from Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa. A product of the Dempo youth system, Fernandes transitioned across the youth system to represent the first team.
Fernandes has also represented the U-22 Indian national U-23 team and has scored in both. With more foreign exposure, Fernandes is going to go from strength to strength.
#7 Devendro Singh (Boxing)
A representative of India at the at the 2012 London Olympics, the 23-year old won a silver medal for India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the Light Fly-weight division. Singh reached the quarter finals of the Olympics, before eventually losing out to the eventual bronze medallist Paddy Barnes.
He would go onto lose to the same pugilist at the Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow. With more time focussed into training, Singh will be heading into the 2016 Rio Olympics aiming to win a medal.
#8 Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics)
The first ever Indian woman Gymnast to win a medal at a multi-discipline event, the 21-year old is being touted as India’s next Olympic hope. She showed her dominance at the 2015 National Games, winning all five medals at offer.
Karmakar, who secured the bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games also pulled off her National Games feat in 2011 as a 16-year old. If she goes at this rate, a Olympic medal won’t be too far.
#9 Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling)
Phogat is being touted as the best thing to happen to women’s wrestling, since her sister Geeta Phogat. Her gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games highlighted her growth at such a young age.
She also won the bronze medal in the same category at the Asian Games in South Korea. The 20-year old attributed her brilliant performances to her sister. Geeta was the first ever Indian women’s wrestler to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
#10 Sajan Prakash (Swimming)
The most recent star of Indian sports, Prakash has put swimming into the country’s imagination. Six gold medals and three silver medals saw the 21-year old announced not only himself, but also the golden generation of Indian swimming.
Prakash was adjudged the best male athlete at the 2015 National Games held in Kerala. Apart from the medals, he also represented India at the 2014 Commonwealth and Asian Games, but Prakash failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
