India is determined to host the 2036 Olympics as part of a broader strategy to become a global sporting superpower, despite challenges like limited multi-sport event experience and a poor doping record, according to Indian Olympic Association CEO Raghuram Iyer.
India's wrestling campaign at the Asian Games will be spearheaded by Sujeet Kalkal, Antim Panghal, and Aman Sehrawat, all of whom face challenging draws. Sujeet is in red-hot form but could meet Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka, while Antim Panghal eyes a strong performance against Zhang Jin. Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat also has a tough path, potentially facing another Olympic medallist early on. The wider Indian contingent also features medal hopefuls across freestyle, women's, and Greco-Roman categories.
German tennis star Alexander Zverev has secured the ATP's year-end world number one ranking, a 'dream come true' for the 29-year-old, following Carlos Alcaraz's shock defeat to Zizou Bergs at the Shanghai Masters.
Indian archer Neeraj Chauhan defeated compatriot Dhiraj Bommadevara to secure the bronze medal in the men's individual recurve event at the Asian Games. This historic win makes him only the second Indian male to achieve an individual recurve medal at the prestigious event.
India's men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed confidence in his team's ability to overcome World Cup disappointment and secure the Asian Games title, stating, "We always dominate in Asia."
US Olympic sprinter Kenny Bednarek has expressed strong support for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Citing his personal connection through his Indian girlfriend, golfer Sharmila Nicollet, and his admiration for the country's diverse culture, Bednarek believes India would be an ideal host, offering a unique experience for athletes and visitors. India is among seven nations vying for the 2036 Games, also planning bids for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2038 Asian Games.
A 24-member Indian shooting contingent, led by Olympic bronze medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, will compete at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo starting Saturday. The squad, which recently completed a national camp, will participate in eight individual Olympic disciplines and two mixed team events, featuring a mix of experienced Olympians and promising young talent.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating China 1-0, and simultaneously qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This remarkable turnaround is largely attributed to head coach Sjored Marijne, who transformed a divided and underperforming squad into a united, fearless, and successful team within nine months.
Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat won the men's 57kg gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating North Korea's world champion Chong Song Han in the final.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased its GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year (FY27) by 40 basis points to 7.1 per cent, acknowledging the resilience of domestic economic activity despite global headwinds and geopolitical tensions.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi awarded shooter Elavenil Valarivan Rs 1.33 crore under the Khel Pratibha Puraskar Yojana for her two silver medals at the Asian Games 2026. The state government highlighted its commitment to nurturing sporting talent through various schemes and acknowledged the role of parents in athletes' success. Valarivan, an Arjuna Award recipient, has been associated with the Shaktidoot Scheme since 2017-18 and has represented India at multiple Olympics and won gold at the ISSF World Cup.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract until June 2030, extending his tenure after guiding the club to their first Premier League title in 22 years and restoring their status as a top European team.
Paris Haute Couture Week 2026 saw Indian celebrities and business leaders making stylish appearances across some of fashion's biggest shows.
Fariba Hashimi, who disguised herself as a man and faced attacks while cycling in Afghanistan, fled to Italy and now uses her Asian Games journey to inspire women.
Thirteen-year-old Yu Zidi's three golds and MVP award provided a golden highlight as the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closed after a fortnight of logistical problems.
Asian Games gold medallist Aman Sherawat expresses strong confidence in winning an Olympic wrestling gold medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Having defeated a world champion in the Asian Games, he believes he can achieve what no other Indian wrestler has done, despite the challenges of the competitive 57kg category and past weight issues. He plans to continue training with foreign coaches to fine-tune his techniques.
Boxer Parveen Hooda secured an Asian Games gold medal, marking a significant redemption after her previous bronze was stripped due to a whereabouts failure and a subsequent 22-month suspension. Her victory, achieved with a narrow win over Chen Nien-chin, is dedicated to her ailing father and represents a powerful personal comeback fueled by resilience and philosophical reflection.
Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Parveen Hooda (65kg) have clinched gold medals in women's boxing at the Asian Games, ending India's 12-year wait for titles in the category.
Asymmetrical outfits are bringing a fun sense of drama to celebrity wardrobes, with uneven hems, cascading ruffles, diagonal drapes and unexpected cuts adding movement to every look.
Parveen Hooda and Chen Nien-chin's final bout highlighted the respect and camaraderie that exists in the sport of boxing.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named as India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. Bhaker's Olympic achievements and Toor's past Asian Games gold medals highlight their selection.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal overcame a challenging start to secure India's first-ever bronze medal in the Asian Games skeet mixed team event. Their remarkable comeback, fueled by mutual support and a fighting spirit, culminated in a significant achievement for Indian shooting, adding to their individual medal tallies at the Games.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Bengaluru has introduced Japanese cuisine into its athletes' diet plan to help them adapt to food culture ahead of the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This initiative aims to prevent performance issues caused by dietary struggles, as observed in past international events, and involves a gradual introduction of dishes and strict adherence to nutritional and safety standards.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic Asian Games gold medal, defeating China 1-0, which also guaranteed direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Goalkeeper Savita Punia highlighted the team's focus on Olympic qualification and credited the new coaching staff for fostering unity and belief, transforming the team's performance and mindset over the past 10 months.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend, received a flood of tributes from teammates, former colleagues like Neymar, and tearful fans ahead of his final international appearance for Argentina against Benin. The farewell was marked by immense gratitude for his contributions to football and his country, with many acknowledging his impact beyond the sport.
Indian Greco Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar made a strong start at the Asian Games, advancing to the men's 87kg semifinals with a dominant technical superiority victory.
New Portugal manager Jorge Jesus included 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad for upcoming Nations League matches, emphasising that team selection will strictly depend on current performance.
Dhiraj Bommadevara, India's top recurve archer, expresses no regrets despite missing an individual medal at his second Asian Games. He highlights his Games-record qualification score and team silver medals, viewing the experience as crucial for his preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bommadevara emphasizes learning from past failures, the importance of a positive team environment, and the need to focus on improvement rather than dwelling on mistakes.
India's Dhiraj Bommadevara has set a new Asian Games men's recurve qualification record with 698 points, topping the standings in Okazaki City, Japan, and securing a bye into the second round of the individual elimination draw. This performance follows his recent World Cup Final triumph.
France staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Belgium 4-1 in their Nations League Group A1 encounter, with substitutes playing a crucial role in the final minutes. Meanwhile, Italy secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Turkey in the same group, maintaining their strong form. These results significantly impact the group standings, with France now leading.
Raphinha's hat-trick led defending champions Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Sevilla, extending their winning streak in La Liga. Elsewhere, Lautaro Martinez secured a 2-2 draw for Inter Milan against Roma in Serie A, while Borussia Dortmund claimed the top spot in Germany. Premier League saw Arsenal lose its top position after a defeat to Brighton.
Archer Kumkum Mohod and wrestler Sujeet Kalkal have been named the first recipients of the Jaspal Rana Award and Raja Randhir Singh Award, respectively, by the Indian Olympic Association. These awards recognise their exceptional performances at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where Mohod secured two archery golds and Kalkal won gold in wrestling.
Sculptor Akash Tirmal explains how he designed the 22 feet idol of Ganesh Galli's MumbaiCha Raja using Plaster of Paris, without any readymade moulds.
Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker shared her emotional experience as India's flag-bearer at the Asian Games opening ceremony, deeply missing her late coach Jaspal Rana. Rana, who passed away recently, was instrumental in her career and had a unique philosophy about attending opening ceremonies, making Bhaker's flag-bearing role particularly poignant.
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, completing her medal hunt across major tournaments. She attributes this success to intense training, a strong focus on injury prevention, and rehabilitation, especially after narrowly missing a medal at the Paris Olympics. Chanu is now preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, planning to change her weight category and improve her snatch technique.
The Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, are set to feature top athletes across various disciplines. This preview highlights key contenders like swimmers Pan Zhanle, javelin throwers Haruka Kitaguchi and Arshad Nadeem, badminton star An Se-young, gymnastic sensation Carlos Yulo, tennis prodigy Alexandra Eala, and the formidable Indian cricket teams, all poised to make a significant impact.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has qualified for the women's 10m air pistol final at the Asian Games, finishing third in the qualification round.
Eiffel Tower employees launched a strike, leading to the iconic landmark's closure, after allegations surfaced that female staff were asked to vacate their posts during a visit by the Hindu religious organisation BAPS.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. Both athletes have significant achievements, with Bhaker making history at the Paris Olympics and Toor winning gold in previous Asian Games editions. Their selection highlights the importance of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally.
Following the Indian men's hockey team's historic Asian Games gold and direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Head Coach Craig Fulton revealed plans to 'build a new team afresh' after the Hockey India League, emphasising the need for meticulous planning for the upcoming Games.
