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.
Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist Bhavina Patel, along with Baby Sahana Ravi, Shubham Wadhwa, and Jehan Madan, secured impressive victories in their opening matches at the Asian Para Games table tennis competition on Friday, showcasing India's strong start in the event.
Paralympics silver medallist Bhavina Patel secured another victory at the Asian Para Games, defeating Jordan's Faten Eleimat in women's para table tennis. While Patel topped her group, other Indian paddlers like Sonalben Patel, Shubham Wadhwa, Ekta Bhyan, Jehan Madan, and Dattaprasad Chougule faced mixed results in their respective categories.
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 para table tennis players Bhavina Patel, Prachi, and Sonalben have advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, guaranteeing at least three bronze medals for the country. Bhavina Patel won her Class 4-5 quarterfinal, Prachi secured a historic medal in Class 6, and Sonalben triumphed in Class 3, showcasing India's strong performance in the sport.
Protesters in Manipur clashed with police outside a sports complex where the Chief Minister was present, demanding action over the recent killing of three Meitei men. A 48-hour shutdown has affected normal life in Imphal Valley districts, and effigies of political figures were burnt. The state continues to grapple with ethnic conflict.
India commenced its Asian Para Games campaign with a spectacular performance, securing 11 medals, including four gold, across various sports on Monday. Notable victories came from shooter Mona Agarwal, long jumper Nishad Kumar, middle-distance runner Soumya, and javelin thrower Rinku, with archer Sheetal Devi also setting world records. The medal haul places India fourth in the overall standings.
India's Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Sivakumar secured gold medals in men's singles SL3 and SL4 badminton events, respectively, at the Asian Para Games. Nitesh defeated compatriot Pramod Bhagat, while debutant Naveen overcame Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan. India also secured silver medals through Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan and Pramod Bhagat, with Thulasimathi Murugesan still in contention for two more golds.
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'.
Asian Games champion Pranavi Urs aims to become the first home player in a decade to win the Women's Indian Open in Gurugram, facing strong competition from defending champion Shannon Tan (winner in 2025) and a host of international and Indian golfers, including past champions Liz Young (2024) and Pornanong Phatlum.
India concluded its badminton campaign at the Asian Para Games with an impressive haul of three gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals, totalling 16. Nitesh Kumar, Naveen Sivakumar, and the pair of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi secured the gold medals, showcasing India's growing prowess in para-badminton.
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal was forced to withdraw from the Asian Games after suffering exhaustion and dehydration during a sauna session while cutting weight. He was declared medically unfit, though another Indian MMA athlete, Suchika Tariyal, secured India's first medal.
Indian sports pistol shooter Rahi Sarnobat discusses her challenging journey back to elite competition after battling a debilitating neuropathic pain syndrome. She shares how the illness forced her to redefine her training, mindset, and priorities, leading to a "second life" in the sport as she prepares for her fourth Asian Games.
Jay Meena, once a mischievous schoolboy rusticated for a prank, has made history by winning India's first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis. His journey from a troubled youth to a bronze medallist at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is a testament to destiny and the guidance of his coach. Meena hopes his achievement will boost the sport's profile in India and pave the way for its inclusion in future events like the Commonwealth Games.
'I didn't know whether I simply loved acting, whether I was good at it or whether I wanted to pursue it professionally. So, about 10 years ago, I started auditioning just to see how far I could go.'
Asian Games gold medallist Sujeet Kalkal is focusing on improving his ground game, identified by coaches as a crucial area for his 2028 Los Angeles Olympics aspirations.
Teenager Kumkum Mohod clinched a historic gold medal in the women's individual recurve event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, defeating South Korea's Oh Yejin in a thrilling shoot-out.
The second round of the DP World India Championship was suspended on Friday due to weather delays, leaving several Indian golfers, including Anirban Lahiri, Saptak Talwar, and Om Prakash Chauhan, in contention to make the cut. Angel Hidalgo, Joost Luiten, and Adrian Meronk share the clubhouse lead, with many players yet to complete their rounds. The cut is expected to be decided on Saturday afternoon as the tournament plays catch-up.
Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir, 11, has signed with Kart Republic (KR), a prestigious team led by Dino Chiesa, known for nurturing Formula 1 champions like Lewis Hamilton. This move provides Mir a significant platform to advance her career in the OKJ category, with Chiesa praising her raw speed and potential to achieve great things for India.
Organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have defended their decision to forgo an Athletes' Village, opting instead for a mix of hotels, container huts, and a cruise ship, despite complaints about cramped conditions and shared rooms.
Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage secured the Asian Games gold medal, expressing regret over Neeraj Chopra's absence due to injury.
Carlos Alcaraz overcame a slow start to beat Jiri Lehecka 7-6(4), 6-4, retain the Japan Open crown, claim his 27th title and strengthen his comeback after injury.
Indian shooter Vidarsa Vinod, making her Asian Games debut at 27, secured a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event. Despite missing an individual final, Vinod maintained a calm demeanour, treating the continental stage like any other competition. Her journey from an NCC cadet to an international medallist highlights her rapid progression and adaptability, especially as she only recently started training in the 10m air rifle discipline.
Manchester City's highly anticipated Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield is set to be overshadowed by the fallout from the club's landmark financial verdict, with City appealing the guilty decision for over 100 breaches of financial rules.
Aston Villa secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur, who remain in the relegation zone after another disappointing performance.
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.
Norway striker Erling Haaland is reportedly suffering from physical fatigue due to a demanding schedule for both club and country. His manager and teammates have noted his exhaustion, and the Norwegian players' union has expressed serious concerns over the increasing workload on top athletes, calling for clearer guidelines.
Lewis Hamilton expressed 'mixed emotions' after a risky tyre strategy at the Bahrain Grand Prix saw him drop to 18th before an incredible comeback secured a third-place podium finish in a chaotic, rain-affected race.
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is set to host its first-ever T20I against reigning world champions India, a landmark event expected to significantly elevate cricket's profile and drive its long-term growth in Japan, according to JCA COO Alan Curr.
India's Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra discusses the emotional and physical challenges of missing the Asian Games due to a ligament injury. He shares his process of accepting the setback, focusing on rehabilitation, and preparing for future competitions, while also offering advice to fellow athletes and aspiring javelin throwers.
FIFA has accused UEFA of waging a 'misinformation campaign' and attempting to influence its upcoming presidential election, urging a US court to reject a discovery request related to a controversial, now-abandoned investment proposal for World Cup commercial rights.
India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, secured a dramatic 4-3 semifinal victory against Pakistan at the Asian Games, despite squandering a 3-0 lead and facing disciplinary issues. Harmanpreet emphasized the need for composure and avoiding silly mistakes against strong opponents, while Manpreet Singh highlighted the coach's advice to focus on the game, not the occasion. The team acknowledged defensive vulnerabilities but remained confident for the final.
World champions India, featuring a strong line-up of T20 stars, are set to face Pakistan in the men's gold-medal cricket clash at the Asian Games, a match where a silver medal would be considered a 'royal embarrassment' for India.
Indian athletes, including Parul Chaudhary, Gulveer Singh, and Vithya Ramraj, secured multiple medals and broke records in various athletics events at the Asian Games, showcasing a strong performance in long-distance running and hurdles.
IIT Madras has launched "Phiball," a new three-team basketball game designed to be faster, more accessible, and tactically demanding. Inspired by Omegaball, Phiball is played on a circular court, forcing players to adapt to new strategies and constant defense, making it an intense experience with low setup costs.
IIT Madras has launched "Phiball," a new three-team basketball game designed to be faster, more accessible, and tactically demanding. Inspired by Omegaball, Phiball is played on a circular court, forcing players to adapt to new strategies and constant defense, making it an intense experience with low setup costs.
India's cricket captain Shreyas Iyer addresses the challenges posed by torrential rain and limited practice ahead of their Asian Games quarterfinal against Afghanistan.
Russian Athletics has filed a new claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging sanctions imposed by World Athletics that prevent Russian athletes from participating in international competitions.
Iga Swiatek expressed her preference for the more intimate Grandstand court over the boisterous Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open. Other players like Alexander Zverev, Jakub Mensik, and Flavio Cobolli also commented on the challenging noise levels and crowd interactions at Flushing Meadows, highlighting the unique atmosphere compared to other tour events.
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal reflected on his gruelling three-hour Davis Cup loss to South Korea's Hyeon Chung, attributing the defeat to Chung's superior play, challenging court conditions, and missed opportunities. The loss contributed to India trailing 0-2 in the tie, with Nagal acknowledging the fine margins in the intense battle.
