Para-swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was detained by Japanese police and deported to India following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female hotel employee during the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya.
Soft tennis player Jay Meena, marathon runner Sawan Barwal, and air pistol shooter Kamaljeet share their personal journeys and challenges leading up to their medal wins at the Asian Games. Meena recounts how school rustication led him to soft tennis and his struggle with quarterfinal defeats. Barwal discusses the mental pressure of switching to marathon running, while Kamaljeet reflects on injury setbacks and the pressure of securing India's first shooting gold at the Games.
Durgapur's Aaleina Sen, an Under-11 karateka, won a gold medal in Kumite and a bronze in Kata at the 20th All India Independence Cup Karate Championship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India's Asian Games medallists, praising their outstanding performances and specifically highlighting the women's hockey team's gold medal win after over four decades. India secured a strong position in the medals tally with a six-gold haul on the penultimate day, with Modi acknowledging individual achievements in wrestling, boxing, archery, sepaktakraw, and sailing.
Indian wrestlers secured a six-medal haul, including two golds, at the Asian Games in Nagoya, overcoming injuries and form slumps. Gold medallists Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal, along with silver winners Nitesh Siwach and Antim Panghal, and bronze medallists Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar, are now setting their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, expressing determination to bring home more glory.
Shreyas Iyer celebrated India's thrilling T20I victory over New Zealand with an emotional hug for his parents after Sanju Samson and Namn Dhir powered a successful 226-run chase.
American coach Dave Cousins, who led India's compound archers to a historic Olympic quota at the Asian Games, faced a significant delay in receiving his salary for over three months. The Archery Association of India and Sports Authority of India have acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a technical problem, and assured that the payment will be cleared within days, resolving the coach's threat to quit.
The Sports Ministry has rescheduled its review meeting with National Sports Federations to October 15 to discuss India's performance at the recently concluded Asian Games. The focus will be on the underwhelming show of experienced athletes in sports like badminton, shooting, and athletics, following a lower medal count compared to the previous edition.
Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO, and PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl express strong confidence in India's potential to become a global golf powerhouse within the next decade. Kant specifically predicts a woman golfer will achieve a breakthrough moment for the country. They highlight India's demographic advantage, rising youth participation, and the need for university-level talent development and private investment in infrastructure to achieve this goal.
Veteran Indian hockey striker Mandeep Singh, after a hat-trick in the Asian Champions Trophy, has stated his intention to continue playing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, provided he remains fit. His performance comes amidst reports of him being phased out, with fellow player Nilakanta Sharma announcing retirement. Mandeep expressed pride in playing in front of his family in Jalandhar, where international hockey has returned after 17 years.
Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey created history by becoming India's first para table tennis players to secure medals in the standing category at the Asian Para Games. India clinched a total of four bronze medals in the event, surpassing its previous medal tally. Paralympics medallists Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel also contributed to the country's success.
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha has called for a stronger, athlete-centric sporting ecosystem, emphasising the need for robust federations, committed coaches, quality infrastructure, and effective sports science support. She highlighted that sporting excellence requires institutions that prioritise athletes and provide fair opportunities, while also congratulating recent Asian Games gold medallists.
Ariha Pangambam from Manipur has made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the senior women's individual event at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships. The 22-year-old gymnast expressed pride in her achievement, hoping to inspire young athletes, and shared insights into the challenges faced during the competition, including adapting to a wooden floor, and her journey from artistic to aerobic gymnastics.
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain paid tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar, who died at 75 on Thursday in Goa due to cardiac arrest. Borgohain expressed her sadness and the unfulfilled dream of meeting him, calling his passing a huge loss for the Indian film industry.
Tripura's Asmita Dey, the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold, was grandly felicitated by the state government. She received a Rs 10 lakh cheque and a plot of land in Agartala, with Chief Minister Manik Saha highlighting her inspiring journey and urging her to focus on the upcoming Asian Games.
The Sports Ministry has approved the late inclusion of two Boccia athletes, Sachin Chamaria and Anjali Devi, into India's contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games, bringing the total athlete count to 168. The overall contingent, including 113 officials, now stands at 281. This year's team is smaller than the previous Games due to the absence of certain disciplines and strict quota restrictions, particularly in para athletics. India aims to build on its record-breaking 108-medal haul from the last edition.
On National Sports Day, political leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and several Chief Ministers paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and lauded Indian sportspersons for their contributions to the country.
India's shooting contingent concluded its Asian Games campaign with a total of 15 medals, including three gold, eight silver, and four bronze. Anish Bhanwala finished seventh in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol final, qualifying under a special 'two shooters per country policy'.
The article presents the medals tally after Day 11 of the Asian Games, showing China in the lead with 275 medals, followed by Japan and South Korea. India is currently ranked 8th with a total of 60 medals.
Boxer Lovlina Borgohain's parents expressed immense joy and pride after their daughter clinched a gold medal at the Asian Games. They highlighted her hard work and dedication, noting her long-standing goal to upgrade her previous silver to gold. The family also shared Lovlina's future aspirations, including an Olympic gold and upcoming world championships.
This year's Ekta Diwas parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, will feature around 2,000 artists from 126 Naxal-affected districts and celebrate the significant achievement of ending armed Naxalism in the country. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the annual event on October 31, which also commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. The celebrations will include cultural performances, innovative tableaux, and will honour security forces while promoting tourism to the Statue of Unity.
Arjuna Awardee and Indian kabaddi team member Ritu Negi was controversially dropped from Himachal Pradesh's cash award list for Asian Games gold medallists, reportedly due to her marriage in Haryana.
China leads the Asian Games medal tally after Day 10 with 143 gold medals, followed by Japan and South Korea. India is currently in 10th position with 6 gold, 21 silver, and 25 bronze medals.
India is sending a 17-member contingent, led by table tennis player Syndrela Das and swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, to the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. The team will compete in 11 sports, with athletes like Sarthak Arya viewing the event as a crucial stepping stone for future Olympic aspirations. IOA president P T Usha highlighted the Games' importance for developing future Indian champions.
Abhishek Verma, India's top compound archer, is determined to return to the national team after missing the Asian Games. He aims for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India, despite India securing an Olympic quota in compound archery. Verma also shares insights on India's medal prospects and the importance of mixed team selection.
Archery emerged as one of India's biggest success stories at the 2026 Asian Games, bringing in as many as five gold medals led by 17-year-old sensation Kumkum Mohod leading the way.
Sonam Maskar, a silver medallist in the women's 10m air rifle team event, has expressed her ambition to secure a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at the upcoming ISSF World Championship in Doha. She also reflected on her journey, highlighting financial struggles and her father's support. The article also features kabaddi player Raj Rani, who won a gold medal at the Asian Games, sharing her joy and acknowledging her father's role in her success.
Judoka Asmita Dey from Tripura has won a gold medal in the women's 48 kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, marking a historic first for an Indian woman judoka. Chief Minister Manik Saha and Sports Minister Tinku Roy congratulated Dey, highlighting her achievement as an inspiration for the nation.
Indian Hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, known as the 'Wall of Indian hockey', expressed her desire for Priyanka Chopra Jonas to portray her in a biographical film. Punia, who recently led India to significant achievements, shared her inspiration from Priyanka's journey and her own life story, including early responsibilities and personal interests.
India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 85 medals, a significant dip from the previous edition's record haul. While traditional strongholds like shooting and athletics underperformed, breakthroughs in archery, wrestling, golf, boxing, hockey, and cricket showcased a broadening sporting base. The performance serves as a reality check on sustaining progress towards top global rankings and highlights areas for improvement in mental conditioning and preparation.
This article presents the medals tally after Day 9 of the Asian Games, highlighting the leading countries and India's position. China maintains a significant lead, followed by Japan and South Korea.
The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi, who were part of the Indian women's team that won gold at the Asian Games. Chief Minister Lalduhoma felicitated the athletes, highlighting their historic achievement for the state and the government's commitment to promoting hockey through schemes and infrastructure development.
The Asian Champions Trophy returns to Punjab after 17 years, marking a special occasion for Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, whose family will watch him play internationally for the first time. The tournament, featuring six teams, highlights Punjab's rich hockey legacy and will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra congratulated Indian athletes and support teams for their Asian Games campaign, emphasizing the hard work involved. He praised breakthrough achievements while calling for honest analysis of setbacks and stronger long-term high-performance systems, urging urgent preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Assam Police have seized Yaba tablets valued at Rs 57.5 crore and arrested two individuals in Cachar district. The seizure involved 2.3 lakh tablets found in a truck's secret chamber, as announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday.
VVS Laxman, who coached the Indian team at the Asian Games, lauded Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, highlighting his meticulous preparation, sharp tactical understanding, and ability to assess opposition strengths as key to his success.
India's Para Asian Games contingent received a formal send-off in New Delhi, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launching the new Team India jersey. Prominent para-athletes, including flag bearer Pramod Bhagat, attended the ceremony. Mandaviya encouraged the athletes to win medals, assuring them of government support. Head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in medal prospects despite a reduced quota, while athletes like Suvarna Raj and Pramod Bhagat voiced their determination to secure medals.
India's assistant coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar emphasised the importance of winning crucial moments ahead of the Asian Games gold medal cricket match against arch-rivals Pakistan. Drawing on his own experience from the 1998 Independence Cup final, Kanitkar stated that while the hype is significant, players must focus on their game and aim for a second successive Asiad gold for the country's medal tally.
The Indian contingent made a striking appearance at the Para Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, wearing ceremonial blazers adorned with motifs inspired by 5,000 years of Indian civilisation, including Indus Valley seals and SaptSindhu. Led by Paralympic medallist Simran Sharma and top shuttler Pramod Bhagat, over 100 athletes proudly represented India, which has a 281-member contingent competing across 11 disciplines. The Games will conclude on October 24.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian weightlifting team for their strong performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where they secured one gold, six silver, and one bronze medal.
