Suchika Tariyal has made history by becoming India's first Asian Games medal winner in Mixed Martial Arts, securing a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event. The 36-year-old fighter, who hails from Haryana, expressed immense joy and dedicated her medal to her family, acknowledging the financial struggles and personal sacrifices made throughout her career. Despite initially considering retirement, her performance has inspired her to continue her professional fighting journey.
Veteran wushu player Roshibina Devi on Thursday said she would ignore the accusations of mental harassment made against her by fellow player Divyanshi Choudhary in the selection controversy just ahead of the Asian Games.
Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her joy and hope after securing a gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating Sri Lanka. She believes this victory will inspire other Indian athletes to win more medals and highlighted the team's focus on adapting to conditions despite initial concerns about facilities in Japan. Kaur also reflected on the unique experience of winning a medal for the country compared to traditional trophies.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal secured India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the mixed team skeet event, winning a historic bronze. This achievement marked a remarkable three-medal haul for Indian skeet at the Games, overcoming challenging conditions and intense competition. The duo fought through qualification and a nerve-wracking final, adding to their individual team bronzes.
Three-time Olympic medallist and six-time world champion Jonny Brownlee has announced his retirement from professional triathlon, concluding a highly decorated career in the sport.
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and Grandmaster Nihal Sarin have voiced concerns over the ongoing NEET exam irregularities and student suicides. Bindra called for a transparent and merit-based education system, while Sarin highlighted the immense pressure students face. The protests, supported by activist Sonam Wangchuk, have seen students attempting to march to Parliament.
India's Special Olympics Bharat football team is heading to Sweden to compete in the Gothia Cup 2026, aiming for their third consecutive title in the Special Olympics Trophy. The team, comprising players with intellectual disabilities, received a send-off from Sweden's ambassador, highlighting their role as national ambassadors. Their coach detailed the unique training methods involving actions and sign language.
Tejaswin Shankar, India's national record holder in decathlon, secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games but expressed significant disappointment, stating he "lost the silver" rather than "won a bronze." He revealed his competitive drive, particularly against Japan's Yuma Muruyama, whom he beat in the final 1500m race. Shankar also discussed his demanding competition schedule and his strategy to achieve 8300 points for World Championships qualification, alongside his duties as a teaching assistant in the USA.
The Indian women's cricket team has secured a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as the top-ranked Asian team in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The men's team will need to be the continental leaders in world rankings by the end of 2026 to qualify directly. Cricket is making its return to the Olympics after a century, featuring six teams in both men's and women's competitions, with qualification criteria unveiled by the ICC.
Mizoram has emerged as champions in the North East Regional Muaythai Championship, with Meghalaya and Tripura securing runner-up positions. Chief Minister Lalduhoma lauded the sport's potential for livelihood and honour, citing Mizo fighter Nazareth Lalthazuala's success in ONE Championship.
Indian quarter-miler MR Poovamma, 36, secured her third Asian Games 4x400m relay gold, marking a triumphant return after a two-year doping ban. She expressed immense satisfaction in proving her critics wrong and credited her family and husband for their unwavering support during her challenging comeback journey.
The Indian Olympic Association has formed a four-member independent inquiry committee, led by retired High Court judge Deepa Sharma, to investigate sexual harassment allegations against Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh. The probe follows a complaint by former women's team captain Asunta Lakra, who accused Singh of threats after she raised concerns about alleged harassment of girls in Jharkhand.
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak, the sole representative from India, is set to compete in her fourth Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, aiming for her first medal.
The Indian women's hockey team secured their spot in the Asian Games semifinals by defeating Singapore 7-0 in their final Pool B match. Sunelita Toppo scored two goals, leading India to top their pool with a perfect record.
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.
India's women's badminton team, led by PV Sindhu, secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This win propels them into a challenging quarterfinal match against hosts Japan, a team boasting several top-ranked players.
Eighteen-year-old Indian shooter Parth Mane secured a silver medal in the men's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games, marking his senior continental debut.
The Indian men's kabaddi team secured a dominant 63-31 victory over South Korea in a Group A clash at the Asian Games, marking their second consecutive win and placing them atop the group.
Brazil's star centre-back Marquinhos discusses the significance of their FIFA international friendly against India in Kolkata. He views the match as a "golden opportunity" for the Selecao to gain experience and kickstart a new cycle after their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Marquinhos acknowledges India's strong fan base for Brazil and emphasises the team's commitment to every game, regardless of its "friendly" status, as they focus on rebuilding confidence and winning.
Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra's foundation has partnered with the Indian Olympic Association to launch an anti-doping education campaign for athletes, addressing the issue of quick success and contaminated supplements.
PV Sindhu expressed her pain and disappointment following her quarterfinal exit at the Asian Games, where she lost to China's Chen Yufei. Despite the setback, the two-time Olympic medallist affirmed her commitment to addressing her shortcomings and highlighted her enduring passion for the sport, vowing to return stronger.
Commonwealth silver medallist Rishikanta Singh, India's only male weightlifter in the Asian Games squad, has been ruled out of the upcoming continental event due to a knee injury, leaving the team with only four female lifters.
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.
India's national soft tennis federation is pushing for the sport's inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, following a historic Asian Games medal. Special Advisor Harshang Khodadhara highlighted India's strong global ranking and its position as the leading Commonwealth nation in soft tennis, expressing confidence in winning gold medals if included.
Indian badminton stars Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu face challenging draws in the individual competitions at the Asian Games, while defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a more favourable path to the semifinals. The individual events follow India's men's team securing a bronze medal. Players will need to overcome tough opponents to secure individual medals.
Olympic Council of Asia Director General Husain Al Musallam defended Japan's decision not to have a dedicated Athletes' Village for the Aichi-Nagoya Games, citing cost and sustainability. This comes amidst criticism over accommodation chaos. Musallam confirmed that future Asian Games in Doha (2030) and Riyadh (2034) will feature dedicated villages, emphasising flexibility and legacy considerations. He also supported the increasing number of athletes, highlighting the importance of sport in current global crises.
India experienced a day of mixed results at the Asian Games, securing a gold medal in shooting through Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet, and a silver in men's 10,000m with Gulveer Singh. However, a major setback occurred with the unexpected early exit of top badminton men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The nation also added several bronze medals in pole vault, shot put, table tennis, and assured more in squash, pushing its total medal count to 23.
The Indian women's hockey team, unbeaten in the Asian Games, is set to face South Korea in the semifinal, aiming to end a 44-year wait for a gold medal. With a strong performance in the pool stage and a superior world ranking, India enters the match as favourites, relying on key players like Deepika and Navneet Kaur, and solid goalkeeping.
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.
IOC Vice-President Juan Antonio Samaranch says new Olympic Charter amendments are vital to protect the IOC's independence amid growing political pressures.
The Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games, reversing a controversial decision to switch to a saffron-coloured kit. The previous change had led to widespread criticism, internal discord within Hockey India, and even political debate, despite claims of visibility issues on blue turf.
Indian dressage rider Anush Agarwalla has voiced profound disappointment and hurt after being excluded from the upcoming Asian Games, despite being a gold medalist in the previous edition. He criticised the selection process as "unfair" and a "betrayal," stating he was never given a chance to compete, and called for a more transparent system in Indian sports.
Indian shooter Rudrankksh Patil secured three medals at the Asian Games - an individual bronze and two team silvers - expressing satisfaction with his progress despite not yet reaching peak form. He views these medals as crucial motivation and proof of moving in the right direction, aiming for continued improvement. Fellow shooter Vidarsha K Vinod also celebrated two team silver medals in her Asian Games debut, setting her sights on gold at the upcoming World Championship.
Indian hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the Asian Games after a controversial shift to saffron kits sparked widespread criticism and internal discord within Hockey India. The decision to revert to blue was confirmed by HI president Dilip Tirkey, who had previously questioned the saffron kit's adoption without proper approval.
Indian boxer Parveen advanced to the women's 65kg quarterfinals at the Asian Games via a walkover, while Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg) and Sumit (70kg) were eliminated. Sakshi lost her pre-quarterfinal bout to Kazakhstan's Alua Balkibekova, and Sumit conceded his pre-quarterfinal due to a knee injury.
The Indian Olympic Association has formed a four-member independent inquiry committee, led by retired High Court judge Deepa Sharma, to investigate sexual harassment allegations against Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh.
Prince William and Kate have launched a sports-led suicide prevention initiative, urging organisations across Britain to foster open conversations, recognise warning signs and make support accessible.
Satnam Singh and Salman Khan secured India's first-ever men's double sculls bronze medal at the Asian Games, a significant achievement amidst an otherwise challenging performance by the Indian rowing team. The medal comes despite pre-competition controversy regarding team selections, with the duo forming their partnership just five days before the event.
Neeru Dhanda underlined her credentials as India's in-form trap shooter by hitting 48 of 50 targets to emerge joint leader in the women's qualification of the Asian Games.
Lovlina Borgohain has made history by becoming the first Indian woman boxer to reach consecutive Asian Games finals, assuring at least a silver medal.
