Sania, Saina, Deepika underlined growing might of sportswoman

 The Indian men's hockey team set an example by qualifying early for the Olympics and rounding off its rollercoaster journey this year with a bronze at the World Hockey League finals. But a tenacious women's team stole their thunder, making its way to the quadrennial event after 36 years to spice up the country's preparations for the 2016 Games. Three personalities rode the crest like the women's hockey team this year. Deepika Kumari led a confident group of archers as the country's women recurve team qualified for Rio. Wrestler Narsingh Yadav announced his arrival in the 74kg category, winning the World Championship bronze in Shiva Thapa,and raising questions about Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar's divine right to represent India at Rio. The third athlete was Shiva Thapa, who fought bravely in the World Boxing Championships to raise hopes of an Olympic quota before losing in the semifinals. A berth in the final would have helped Thapa fetch the country its first quota in boxing. It was the year of the underdogs, although at times it looked as if the big players would drown them out.