Indian mixed doubles pair Manush Shah and Diya Chitale made history by becoming the first from the country to reach a WTT Grand Smash semifinal in China, defeating a Romanian duo 3-0. This victory avenged a previous defeat. However, other Indian players, Manav Thakkar and the women's doubles pair of Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade, exited their respective events.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris has expressed a strong desire to race in India, acknowledging the country's massive Formula 1 fan base. This comes as the Indian government and Adani Group are exploring options to bring F1 back to the Buddh Circuit, despite significant financial and logistical hurdles. Norris, who has a close friend in Indian driver Jehan Daruvala, believes racing in India would be great for the sport.
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton revealed that the tough semifinal victory against Pakistan was crucial in preparing the team for their dominant 5-1 win over Malaysia in the Asian Games final. This victory secured India's gold medal and a direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics. Senior player Hardik Singh also expressed relief and pride in the team's performance after a disappointing World Cup.
Defending champions India, currently unbeaten in the men's hockey Pool A at the Asian Games, are set to face hosts Japan in a crucial match. Both teams have won all their games, but India holds a superior goal difference. The winner of this match will secure the top spot in the pool and a direct semifinal berth, with India's forwards showing exceptional form.
World-record holder Alison dos Santos secured victory in the men's 400m hurdles, while Djamel Sedjati surprisingly won the men's 800m on the final day of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Other winners included Jasmine Jones (women's 400m hurdles), Rumesh Pathirage (men's javelin), and Likina Amebaw (women's 5,000m) at the event in Budapest, which featured a record $10 million prize pot.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen made a stunning comeback from Achilles surgery to win the men's 5,000 metres at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, securing a $150,000 prize. Fellow star Mondo Duplantis also claimed a pole vault title, narrowly missing a world record. The new championship format aims to attract new fans with its high-stakes fields and glitzy production.
The Indian men's hockey team lost 1-3 to Olympic champions the Netherlands in a critical second-round match of the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen. The Netherlands scored three field goals in the second half, while India's sole goal came from a Harmanpreet Singh penalty corner.
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt expressed amusement rather than frustration upon learning that a robot in China had broken his 100-metres world record by almost a second, stating, 'It just made me smile.'
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship saw thrilling performances on its second day, with Audrey Werro defeating Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson in the women's 800m and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden clocking the season's fastest time in the women's 100m. Other notable winners included Kenny Bednarek in the men's 100m, Collen Kebinatshipi and Marileidy Paulino in the 400m, Haruka Kitaguchi in javelin, Klaudia Kazimierska in 1500m, Miltiadis Tentoglou in long jump, and Sandi Morris in pole vault.
Lalremsiami Hmarzote, Mizoram's first female Olympian and Asian Games medallist, is now India's offensive lynchpin, aiming for a first Asian Games hockey gold since 1982, after overcoming initial family resistance and training on dirt pitches.
Americans Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Kenny Bednarek secured double sprint gold at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, each winning the 100m and 200m titles and a $300,000 jackpot. Jefferson-Wooden's 200m time of 21.47 seconds made her the third fastest woman in history, while Bednarek, known as "Kung Fu Kenny," dominated the men's 200m. The event, designed for television, drew sellout crowds and featured other star athletes like Gianmarco Tamberi and Mondo Duplantis, with World Athletics president Sebastian Coe noting its potential for future Olympic and World Championship elements.
Dempo Goa Challengers completed an unbeaten league phase in the UTT 2026 season, defeating UP Prometheans 10-5. The two-time champions secured their top spot in the standings, heading into the semifinals with a perfect record, thanks to stellar performances from Alvaro Robles and Bernadette Szocs.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game.
Dempo Goa Challengers defeated PBG Pune Jaguars 8-7 in a thrilling Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 match, extending their unbeaten run. Key performances from Bernadette Szocs and Syndrela Das secured the victory for Goa, despite strong challenges from Pune. The article also briefly mentions U Mumba TT winning the Dream UTT Juniors championship.
HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades secured a dominant 10-5 victory over UP Prometheans, while Dempo Goa Challengers maintained their unbeaten record in the Ultimate Table Tennis league.
Dempo Goa Challengers have secured their spot in the Ultimate Table Tennis final after a dominant 8-2 victory over former champions Dabang Delhi TTC. Olympian Alvaro Robles was instrumental, starring in both men's singles and mixed doubles, extending Goa's unbeaten run in the tournament.
U Mumba TT produced a stirring comeback to end Dempo Goa Challengers' unbeaten run and successfully defend their Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 title with an 8-5 victory in a gripping final in Panaji on Sunday.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game. The win maintains Goa's unbeaten record, highlighted by strong performances from Szocs and teenage sensation Abhinandh PB.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game. The win maintains Goa's unbeaten record, highlighted by strong performances from Szocs and teenage sensation Abhinandh PB.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game. The win maintains Goa's unbeaten record, highlighted by strong performances from Szocs and teenage sensation Abhinandh PB.
Indian paddler Nithyashree Mani believes competing against high-calibre international opponents in Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 provides invaluable experience for domestic players, helping them showcase their skills against world-class talent and prepare for future challenges.
Formula One champion Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix for McLaren's first victory of the season on Sunday while Mercedes's Kimi Antonelli extended his overall lead to 50 points.
The upcoming LaLiga season promises an intense battle as Barcelona defends its title against a revamped Real Madrid, led by returning manager Jose Mourinho, and a turbulent Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid has made significant signings and brought back Mourinho after two trophyless seasons, while Barcelona relies on continuity and its World Cup-winning core. Atletico Madrid faces pressure on manager Diego Simeone and a potential transfer saga involving Julian Alvarez, setting the stage for a dramatic season.
Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali heaped praise on teenager Kimi Antonelli on Wednesday as the sport gave itself a glowing half-term report, with sold-out races and booming viewing figures in key markets.
India's men's hockey team has announced its 20-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring one change with midfielder Raj Kumar Pal replacing Aditya Arjun Lalage. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team aims for gold and direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
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.
Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 in a crucial World Cup Round-of-32 match, with Jhon Arias scoring the decisive goal in the 14th minute. This victory propels Colombia into the last 16, where they will face Switzerland.
McLaren's Lando Norris secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton, who is now under investigation for potentially impeding another driver during qualifying.
Under US protocols, play is suspended immediately if lightning is detected within an eight-mile (13-km) radius of a stadium and can only resume after 30 minutes have passed without a further strike.
The seventh edition of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tournament is set to begin in Panaji, featuring top Indian and international players. Indian paddlers like Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, and Diya Chitale view the tournament as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, aiming to build momentum and gain competitive experience. The league also introduces an AI-powered review system.
Ellyes Skhiri's own goal in Tunisia's 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Thursday took the total number of own goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to 12, equalling the record for most in a single tournament.
The meeting between Morocco and Netherlands in the last 32 might have come too early at the World Cup, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman suggested on the eve of Monday's clash between the two contenders in Monterrey.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has warned against underestimating Morocco despite topping Group F, calling the Round of 32 clash the Dutch side's "real test" while admitting there is still room for defensive improvement.
Harry Kane rose to rescue England, striking twice in the span of 11 minutes as the former champions fought back from a goal down to beat a a gritty Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup last-32 clash in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Paris St Germain retained their Champions League title with a penalty shoot-out victory over Arsenal after a 1-1 draw in a cagey final in the Puskas Arena on Saturday.
Spain arrive into their Group H clash against Saudi Arabia needing a sharper attacking display after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match in Atlanta.
The Netherlands secured the top position in World Cup Group F with a decisive 3-1 victory over Tunisia. Tunisia's campaign ended disastrously, marked by an early own goal and a series of errors, following previous heavy losses and a coaching change.
Manav Thakkar joins UP Prometheans with Yang Liu, while Divya Chitale remains the highest-valued Indian player at the UTT auction. Bernadette Szocs tops the auction, joining Dempo Goa Challengers. The seventh season will be held in Goa from July 9-26.
South Africa scored a penalty seven minutes from fulltime as they fought back to draw 1-1 with the Czechia at the World Cup on Thursday after falling behind early in the Group A clash.
Canada striker Cyle Larin came off the bench to grab a 1-1 draw for his side against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a frenetic Group B opener on Friday that long looked like it would end in defeat for the World Cup co-hosts.
