India's men's and women's teams advanced to the quarter-finals despite suffering narrow 2-3 defeats to Japan and Thailand respectively in their final group ties at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China, on Thursday.
'Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships take place in Delhi.'
Esha Singh fought off challenges from two Chinese Taipei shooters as well as compatriot Suruchi Singh, to claim her second individual senior Asian Championship gold, even as Samrat Rana bagged bronze.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Thursday said it has reviewed the facilities at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, which is hosting the $950,000 India Open, and asserted that the venue meets all requirements for staging the World Championships in August.
National record holder 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji has suffered a knee injury during training in a big blow to her World Championships hopes.
Indian boxers, including Nitu Ghanghas and Preeti Pawar, have secured 19 medals at the Boxam Elite International tournament in La Nucia, Spain, with strong performances from both the men's and women's teams.
Aakriti Dahiya and Anjum Moudgil secured silver and bronze respectively in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Asian Shooting Championship, while Kazakhstan's Sofiya Shulzhenko set a new world record. India's Prachi Gaikwad also won gold in the junior women's 3P final.
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Manu Bhaker won silver in the women's 25m pistol at the Asian Shooting Championships after losing a dramatic shoot-off, while Esha Singh claimed bronze in New Delhi.
India's title defence in the women's team event came to a disappointing end after a 0-3 loss to a second-string China in the quarter-finals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships.
Anish Bhanwala won bronze in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol competition at the Asian Shooting Championship. India secured additional gold medals in other events, maintaining its lead in the medal tally.
Former Youth World Championships gold medallist Poonam Poonia produced a fearless display to hand defending 54kg champion Sakshi Chaudhary a shock defeat, causing the first major upset of the National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida on Thursday.
'Once you are out of the top 32, it becomes very tough to get back. Last year I couldn't really get entries into the 750 tournaments. To start this year with one is a positive step.'
'I'm still here, still able to play against somebody who is 14 years younger to me and give tough competition, I should be able to find happiness in it.'
Promising youngster Jadumani Singh upstaged seasoned campaigner Amit Panghal to storm into the final
'Self-funded is a big one. We don't travel as a team so we don't have a therapist, treatment support or a trainer. A lot of times you're training on your own and it's tough.'
'I heard the voice recording, also read the statement, both are contradictory. In voice recording, she appreciated, but what I read was all negative.'
In the men's 800m freestyle, Aryan Nehra finished 23rd, with an under par time of 8:21.30s to bring the curtains down on his campaign. Only the top eight progressed to the final.
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India's women's and men's badminton teams suffered defeats in the Badminton Asia Team Championships, ending their campaigns in the quarterfinals. The women's team lost to China, while the men's team was defeated by Korea.
Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt on Tuesday launched a fresh criticism of playing conditions at the new venue of the IG Stadium, in New Delhi, saying the shift in halls has done little to address the unhealthy and unprofessional surroundings for players and called for apex body BWF's intervention to improve the scenario ahead of the World Championships.
Play was briefly interrupted during the women's doubles semifinal of the ongoing India Open Super 750 tournament on Saturday after some "particles from the bird's nest" fell on the court.
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She has clinched a total of 35 BWF World Tour titles, finished runner-up 10 times and won every major honour the sport offers. At just 23, World No. 1 shuttler An Se-young has redefined what dominance is all about in women's singles.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday paid glowing tribute to former badminton world number one Saina Nehwal, saying her career was a testament to how greatness is built over time and that her legacy extended far beyond medals.
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'I'm looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon.'
British ice dancer Lewis Gibson says he would like to see same-sex partnerships allowed on the international stage in his event, adding his voice to a growing movement in favour of the change.
With 48kg not part of the Olympic programme, the choices were limited.
Pramod Bhagat, Sukant Kadam claim two gold a piece in Egypt
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty assured India of a medal at the World Championships after defeating Malaysia's two-time Olympic medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, in the quarter-finals in Paris.
Nikhat, Lovlina win titles at Boxing Nationals; Hussamuddin caps comeback with gold
Trailblazer Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who has been out of action for the last two years due to a chronic knee condition, has confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton, saying her body could no longer cope with the physical demands of elite sport.
Lots to look forward to in Indian sports as packed 2026 calender awaits
India's top men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded third, also progressed without taking the court after receiving a walkover from USA's Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith.
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'There are a lot of questions in your mind where you are answerable to it, like you yourself are answerable to it. It helped me to get back much more stronger and better.'
Indian weightlifting once again revolved around the enduring brilliance of Mirabai Chanu, whose World Championships silver was the single biggest achievement for the sport in a year marked by doping concerns and senior-level stagnation.
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