Avinash Sable marked his winning steeplechase comeback after 14 months away, opening up about his ACL injury, lost confidence, difficult rehabilitation and renewed focus on Asian Games gold.
This week's OTT releases offer a diverse range of entertainment, from a violent spin on the Devdas story in DC to the return of the Dhamaal gang in Dhamaal 4, and the latest intergalactic adventures of The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Two British Sikh runners, Baldev Singh Bains and Manny Singh Kang, participated in the 2026 London Marathon, raising thousands of pounds for charity. Bains ran in memory of Fauja Singh, aiming to fund a community sports club, while Kang raised money for Dementia UK.
Suraj Meena, a non-Ladakhi marathoner from Rajasthan, achieved a remarkable feat by finishing second in the 122km Silk Route Ultra Ladakh Marathon. He completed the challenging high-altitude race in 12 hours and 35 minutes, setting a new record for non-Ladakhis and highlighting the extreme difficulty of running in such conditions. Meena also cycled 2,400km from Jaipur to Ladakh to participate.
Veteran Indian shuttler HS Prannoy, along with compatriots Sanskar Saraswat, Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, Isharani Baruah, Mansi Singh, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, and the mixed doubles pair of Vimalraj Annadurai and Shreya Balaji, have all advanced to the quarterfinals of the Vietnam Open Super 100 badminton tournament. Notable wins include Prannoy's three-game victory and Tanvi Sharma setting up an all-Indian clash with Malvika Bansod.
Indian track and field athletes, including Avinash Sable and Parul Chaudhary, are using a specialised 'smart track' at SAI NCOE Bengaluru to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming Asian Games.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the China Masters title, defeating China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in a hard-fought final. This marks their second title of the season, adding to their Singapore Open Super 750 victory.
American tennis star Jessica Pegula defeated Sorana Cirstea in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to advance to the U.S. Open quarter-finals. This victory keeps Pegula's hopes alive for her first major title, while Cirstea made her final Grand Slam appearance before retirement. Pegula will now compete for a spot in her third consecutive U.S. Open semi-final.
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe in an electric U.S. Open semi-final, setting up a title clash with Alexander Zverev. Shelton's victory marks a significant moment for American men's tennis, as he aims to become the first American Grand Slam champion since 2003 and the first Black American man to reach the U.S. Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue have made history by becoming France's first-ever badminton World Champions in mixed doubles, defeating the world No. 1 Chinese pair. Their victory marks a significant milestone for French badminton, with another French player, Alex Lanier, also vying for a men's singles world title.
American 10th seed Amanda Anisimova was defeated by Austrian Anastasia Potapova in the third round of the U.S. Open. Potapova secured a 6-2, 7-5 victory, reaching the fourth round for the first time, while Anisimova struggled with unforced errors and failed to replicate her previous year's success.
Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov in a hard-fought US Open semi-final, winning in three sets. This victory propels him to his sixth major final and second at Flushing Meadows, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Indian steeplechase athlete Avinash Sable details his arduous journey back to fitness after an ACL and meniscus injury in July 2025, which forced him to miss the Commonwealth Games. Despite a challenging recovery period filled with self-doubt, Sable has trained intensely at high-altitude facilities and the SAI Smart Track, expressing strong confidence in retaining his Asian Games 3000m steeplechase gold in 2026. He is set to compete in his first steeplechase event in a year, affirming his readiness for the upcoming continental challenge.
Five-time Guinness World Records holder Sufiya Sufi is preparing to defend her Ladakh Silk Route Ultra Marathon title, aiming for a record-breaking performance. She shares her journey into ultra-running, which began in 2017 as an escape from a monotonous routine, and her ultimate dream of a 30,000-km circumnavigation run.
Top seed Alexander Zverev defeated Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6(2) 6-2 to advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. After a dip in form during the second set, Zverev regained control to secure his victory and set up a clash with Luciano Darderi.
Indian steeplechaser Avinash Sable made an emotional and triumphant return to competition, winning the men's 3000m steeplechase at the Indian Athletics Series Final. This victory marks his first race in the distance since suffering a career-threatening ACL and meniscus injury in July 2025, which led to surgery and a challenging recovery period. Sable, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, expressed the immense struggle he faced but is now confident of winning a medal at the upcoming Asian Games.
American tennis star Taylor Fritz was unexpectedly defeated by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a five-set thriller during the third round of the U.S. Open, marking Fritz's earliest exit from his home major in four years. Cerundolo's improved play in the latter sets secured his first-ever spot in the U.S. Open fourth round.
The UEFA Champions League group stage commenced with thrilling matches as holders Paris St Germain, Arsenal, and Liverpool all secured victories. Ferran Torres netted a hat-trick for PSG in their dominant 6-1 win, while Martin Odegaard's late strike gave Arsenal a 1-0 triumph over Napoli. Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1, and Barcelona also started strong with a 5-1 win against Feyenoord.
Indian badminton star Kidambi Srikanth was defeated by Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu in straight games during the quarterfinals of the China Masters Super 750. Srikanth, a former world No.1, lost 16-21, 16-21 in a 39-minute match, ending his campaign despite a strong performance in the previous round.
'God has incredible plans for me and we'll see where that takes me.'
Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich, and Napoli all secured crucial victories in their respective European football leagues, with Ferran Torres, Harry Kane, and Stanislav Lobotka scoring decisive goals. Juventus, however, suffered a late defeat to Sassuolo.
Jessica Pegula overcame a disastrous opening set against Leylah Fernandez, rallying with resilience and composure to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach the US Open fourth round.
FC Goa has been drawn into a challenging group for the AFC Challenge League 2026-27, Asia's third-tier men's club competition. They will face Qadsia SC of Kuwait, Fortis FC of Bangladesh, and FC Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan in Group C, with matches hosted in Kuwait. This follows their recent exit from the AFC Champions League 2 preliminary stage.
India's U20 football team, the Blue Colts, is set to kick off their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers campaign against Syria in Tashkent. This opening match is crucial as India aims to secure their first-ever win against Syria and qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time since 2006, navigating a tough group that also includes Uzbekistan and Bangladesh.
India secured two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal on the penultimate day of the World Archery Para Series (Stage III) in Ahmedabad. The men's compound and recurve teams clinched gold, while Swati Chaudhary earned two medals, a silver and a bronze.
Manchester City have agreed a Man City Match Transfer Record With $169m Fernandez Blockbuster million deal for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, matching the Premier League record and taking their summer spending close to 400 million.
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel drove Michael Schumacher's legendary Ferrari F2002 at Monza, paying an emotional tribute to his childhood idol.
India is set to face South Korea in the second round of the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers in Seoul, aiming to secure a spot in the Final 8 for the first time under the current format. The team, featuring top players like Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri, seeks to end a long wait for a maiden title, building on the legacy of Indian tennis legends.
India, already qualified for the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup, are set to face traditional rivals Pakistan in their final league game. While India is considered the overwhelming favourite, the match offers both teams an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies. India aims to strengthen its power-hitting and fast bowling, while Pakistan needs significant improvement in its batting to challenge stronger opponents.
Naomi Osaka and other top tennis players are raising concerns about the disruptive presence of social media influencers at the US Open. While acknowledging their potential to promote the sport, players like Osaka and Jessica Pegula highlight instances of disrespect and distraction during matches due to influencers staging photo shoots and creating content, calling for better management of their activities. Daniil Medvedev offers a more balanced view, seeing potential benefits if disruptions are avoided.
Chelsea have completed the signing of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez from Aston Villa on a three-year deal, strengthening their squad ahead of the new season.
Mumbai-born Indian youth international Yohaan Benjamin has signed a two-year deal with Portuguese club Guarda FC, marking a significant step in his European football career. This move aligns with Guarda FC's strategy to develop talent from emerging football markets like India. Benjamin, a midfielder, previously played for Shillong Lajong, where he achieved success in the Shillong Premier League.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in a three-game thriller to reach their third China Masters final. The world No. 5 pair showcased tactical brilliance and resilience, overcoming a second-game lapse to secure their spot in the summit clash, where they aim for their second title of the season.
Morocco confirmed their progress to the World Cup last 32 but twice had to come from behind to get the better of plucky Haiti with a 4-2 win in an action-packed game on Wednesday and fell short of topping Brazil in the Group C standings.
India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, fought hard to defeat Denmark's Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, securing their spot in the China Masters Super 750 semifinals. This victory continues their strong performance following recent successes. Meanwhile, veteran Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth's journey in the men's singles quarter-finals concluded after a straight-games loss to Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, fresh off their China Masters victory, reveal their "no Plan B" philosophy, focusing on strengths and tactical adjustments. They attribute their success to improved physical condition post-World Championships and meticulous reviews, which helped them secure their 10th BWF World Tour title and boost confidence for the upcoming Asian Games.
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has offered insights into Shubman Gill's captaincy style, comparing him to Hardik Pandya and noting Gill's reserved yet keen approach to leadership. Nehra also discussed the uncertain future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating it's too early to predict. He also touched upon his own coaching ambitions and reflected on past World Cup losses.
Inter Milan and Napoli secured victories in their Serie A openers, while Racing Lens and Olympique Lyonnais also began their Ligue 1 campaigns with wins, setting an early pace in their respective leagues.
Three nuns in Kerala, who supported a nun accusing a Catholic bishop of rape, have launched a clothing venture called 'Stand By Me'. Facing financial hardship after their assistance was stopped, they revived tailoring skills to earn a livelihood. This initiative provides them with independence and a new purpose, expanding from local orders to online sales and employing workers.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu to win the China Masters Super 750, gaining a major boost ahead of the Asian Games gold defence.
