Karnam Malleswari (born June 1, 1975 in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh) is an Indian Woman weightlifter. Karnam is a Sanskrit word which means fame, dignity and pride. Karnam Malleswari is a first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. Malleswari won a bronze medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics in 69 kg Light-Heavyweight Weightlifting Event.
First time Karnam Malleswari participated in the 'National Junior weight lifting championship' and came First. In 1992 she participated in the Asian championship at Thailand and won three silver medals. She also won three bronze medals in the world championship.
In 1995, Malleswari won the world weightlifting title in 54 kg category with a new record, by lifting 113.0 kg in the clean and jerk. Malleswari, who went on to win the contest's gold medal and beat the previous record of 112.5 kg set by China's Long Yuling in December 1993. She also won the 1995 Asian championship.
In 1997, Malleswari broke her own records in the Senior National Weightlifting Championship. In 1998's Asian Games she won silver medal (India's first medal) in weightlifting. Malleswari married in 1997. She returned to participate in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998 and won the silver medal.
In 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal with lifting 110 kg in the Snatch and 130 kg in the Clean and Jerk for a total of 240 kg, which made her the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in Indian Women Weightlifting History.
During her ten year weightlifting career, she has won 11 gold and 3 silver medals and the prestigious Olympic bronze. She has been the National Champion for nine years, twice in the 52 kg category and seven times in the 54 kg category.
Malleswari was awarded India's second highest sports award 'Arjuna Award' in 1994. She is a recipient of the India's highest sporting honour 'Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award' for the year 1995-1996. She is also a recipient of the civilian honour Padma Shri in 1999.
