India's chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair has confirmed that javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is in 'perfect physical shape' ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, expressing strong confidence that India will surpass its previous medal tally and potentially achieve a record number of gold medals.
India's Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh secured their third consecutive victory in the women's pairs Lawn Bowls at the Commonwealth Games, defeating Tonga in a tie-breaker to stay on course for the semifinals. Meanwhile, Putul Sonowal experienced his first defeat in the men's singles, losing to Malaysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple after two initial wins.
India's boxing contingent for the Commonwealth Games faced a significant setback when nearly half of their luggage, including essential training gear and ceremonial outfits, was left behind in Belfast. This incident occurred just days before the boxing competition is set to begin in Glasgow.
Indian weightlifter Nirupama Devi faced a disappointing exit from the Commonwealth Games women's 63kg event after failing all three clean and jerk attempts, resulting in a Did Not Finish. Despite a strong snatch performance, her inability to complete the clean and jerk round ended her medal hopes.
Asmita Dey became India's first Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist in the women's 48kg category, dedicating her historic victory to her late father who supported her journey.
Assured of the only major medal missing from her decorated cabinet without even stepping into the ring, Lovlina Borgohain will now chase Commonwealth Games gold even as a new generation of Indian boxers look to announce themselves on the big stage starting in Glasgow on Friday.
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.
Following her Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal win, Indian boxer Preeti Pawar reflected on the learning experience that the event gave her ahead of the Asian Games this year and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the boxing culture in her hometown Bhiwani, known as 'Mini Cuba' for producing world-class talent and the fulfillment of her baklava promise after her medal win in Glasgow.
Murali Sreeshankar has become the first Indian double medallist in Commonwealth Games long jump, securing a silver medal with a leap of 8.09 metres. This achievement marks an emotional comeback for the 27-year-old, who recovered from a career-threatening knee injury that forced him to miss his anticipated Olympic debut.
Indian discus thrower Seema Kaliramna secured a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games with a throw of 58.65m, despite fouling her last three attempts. Compatriot Nidhi Rani finished fourth. Jamaica's Samantha Hall won gold, and Canada's Julia Tunks took silver.
India officially launched its bid to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030, presenting a vibrant cultural showcase at the Glasgow closing ceremony that blended ancient philosophy, contemporary artistry, and cultural grandeur.
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has disbursed Rs 42.3 lakh in quarterly stipends to 42 promising young chess players across India. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens, support coaching and travel, and nurture future champions, aligning with a vision to strengthen grassroots chess development.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has assured continued government support to trap shooter Neeru Dhanda and pistol ace Esha Singh, who recently achieved historic gold medals at ISSF World Cups. Mandaviya highlighted shooting as a priority sport for India, with significant investment in athlete development programs like TOPS and Khelo India, aiming for future Olympic and Commonwealth Games success.
Football's law-making body IFAB has confirmed that Switzerland forward Breel Embolo should not have been sent off during the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, stating that VAR intervention was incorrectly applied.
Kannada activists in Mandya and Mysuru have intensified protests against the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's directive for Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu. Protesters cite severe drinking water scarcity and have engaged in actions like disrupting film screenings and blocking highways. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has stated the state will appeal the CWRC's order.
India's Gulveer Singh secured a silver medal in the men's 10,000m race at the Commonwealth Games, finishing second with a time of 27:49.78. His strong final-lap sprint allowed him to surpass favoured runners from Kenya and Uganda.
South Korea midfielder Lee Kang-in has completed a transfer to LaLiga club Atletico Madrid from Paris St Germain, signing a contract until June 2031 in a deal reportedly worth up to 40 million euros.
India's lawn bowls contingent showcased a dominant performance at the Commonwealth Games, with the women's pairs team securing their second consecutive victory against South Africa and Putul Sonowal winning a tense singles match against Falkland Islands. The women's pairs, featuring Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, now lead their section, building on their previous tie-break win against Malta. Sonowal, who had earlier defeated a world champion, fought hard to overcome his opponent in a tie-break, highlighting India's strong presence in the competition.
India's lawn bowls contingent showcased a dominant performance at the Commonwealth Games, with the women's pairs team securing their second consecutive victory against South Africa and Putul Sonowal winning a tense singles match against Falkland Islands. The women's pairs, featuring Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, now lead their section, building on their previous tie-break win against Malta. Sonowal, who had earlier defeated a world champion, fought hard to overcome his opponent in a tie-break, highlighting India's strong presence in the competition.
Kartik Aaryan, Yami Gautam, Sanjay Mishra, and Tushar Hiranandani express their overwhelming emotions and gratitude after winning prestigious National Film Awards for their work in 'Chandu Champion', 'Article 370', 'Bhakshak', and 'Srikanth' respectively.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong will be out for several weeks after returning from the World Cup with torn knee ligaments, an injury he played through during the tournament.
LeBron James has announced his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers for the final chapter of his NBA career, foregoing larger salaries for one more shot at a championship with a franchise that has not won a title in 43 years.
U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino were booed by spectators as they took to the field for the World Cup trophy ceremony at the New York New Jersey stadium, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0.
Spain's 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal hugged a dejected Lionel Messi after Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extended their congratulations to Indian athletes Neeraj Chopra, Yash Vir Singh, Yamini Maurya, and Tejaswin Shankar for their medal-winning performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, praising their dedication and historic achievements.
The Global Chess League (GCL) has launched Road2GCL, a six-week community engagement initiative, to build excitement for its fourth season in Bengaluru. The programme includes competitions like Road2GCL Contenders, offering aspiring players a chance to compete with GCL stars, alongside activities for clubs, schools, and content creators. Season 4 will feature 36 Grandmasters, including Magnus Carlsen and debutant Divya Deshmukh.
Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini is set to return for a second spell as the national team coach, replacing Gennaro Gattuso, who departed after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Hashmatullah Shahidi has resigned as Afghanistan's One Day International captain, citing a personal decision, though he will continue to play in the 50-over format.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra stated he is not 'obsessed' with consistently breaching the 90-metre mark in javelin, emphasising that winning major titles and maintaining consistency in challenging conditions are more important than chasing a specific distance.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has reached her first final in over two years at the Japan Open after her opponent, Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei, retired due to injury during their women's singles semifinal. Sindhu was leading the match when Chen pulled out, setting up a final clash against either Akane Yamaguchi or Putri Kusuma Wardani.
From supporting young talents financially to earning global recognition, Indian chess is making its presence felt like never before.
Former AC Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, one of the most recognisable players of the golden era of Italian football in the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 66, his former club said on Friday.
Indian boxers Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Priya Ghanghas (60kg) have secured at least two bronze medals for the nation at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals of their respective categories. Preeti dominated her quarterfinal bout with a unanimous 5-0 decision, while Priya overcame a tough challenge from local favourite Niamh Mitchell with a 4-1 split decision.
The 'CHESS+' initiative, Championing Excellence in Sport Skills, has been launched to establish a structured chess curriculum in schools across India. This program, a collaboration between the All India Chess Federation and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, aims to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students, starting with a pilot in 30 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
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.
Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha has publicly questioned Hockey India's decision to switch the national team's jersey colour to orange, arguing that the team's identity and legacy have always been associated with blue.
French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja defeated reigning world champion D Gukesh in a 69-move battle at the Chennai Grand Masters 2026, taking the sole lead after the second round. Indian players M Pranesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin all secured draws against their respective opponents in the prestigious tournament.
India's boxing contingent had a stellar day at the Commonwealth Games, securing five more semifinal berths and bringing the total to nine. This achievement surpasses India's previous medal tally in boxing from Birmingham 2022, guaranteeing at least nine medals for the nation.
From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Cape Verde's fairytale run, VAR controversies and unforgettable fan moments, relive the memories that made the 2026 FIFA World Cup the biggest and most dramatic tournament in history.
As New Delhi prepares to host the BWF World Championships from August 17-23, 2026, five young talents - Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Alwi Farhan, Tomoka Miyazaki, and Kalyana Nalbantova - are identified as potential breakout stars capable of challenging the sport's biggest names and redefining their careers.
