The sixth edition of the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Awards have been announced and India’s trailblazing women athletes have been named for the honor. The list includes names like Divya Deshmukh, Preethi Pal, Anjali Bhagwat, and Smriti Mandhana. The extraordinary achievements come across sports cricket, shooting, chess, kabbadi and para athletics.
India Women’s team Vice Captain Smriti Mandhana is among the awardees to be named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year (ISWOTY) 2025. The award had a distinguished grand jury, including notable names like Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George.
After receiving the BBC ISWOTY award, Mandhana said, “Thank you BBC, for giving me the award for Best Sportswoman of the Year, 2025 was a special year for women’s cricket, especially towards the end we had a World Cup and I’m happy I could contribute and help India win matches.”
BBC News CEO Jonathan Munro praised athletes’ achievements and the BBC’s commitment towards Indian women’s sport on the global stage.
He said, “Congratulations to this year’s winners who showcase the very best in sporting excellence. The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world.”
On the other hand, Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder of BBC ISWOTY Rupa Jha also expressed her excitement about women getting recognition in the field of sports.
She acknowledged by saying, “Sport belongs to everyone, and it’s true power lies not only in victories but in the opportunities it creates. The ISWOTY 2026 is a celebration of every woman who has stepped forward to break barriers and claim her rightful place on the field.”
Other women achievers
Divya Deshmukh: BBC Emerging Player of the Year, given for her historic FIDE Women’s World Cup triumph at just 20.
Preethi Pal: BBC Para Sportswoman of the Year, for winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field.
Anjali Bhagwat: BBC Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her pioneering career as India’s first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final and her trailblazing success on the world stage.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025
- Indian Women’s Cricket Team
- Pata athletes – Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal
- Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind
- Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team
BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025
- Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team
- Rajbir Kaur
- Savita Punia
- Paani Devi
(Inputs sourced from BBC)
