An important factor in India's stupendous success in 2021 was the way the government opened its coffers to support athletes.
Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik crashed out in the first round while compatriot Vinesh Phogat's campaign also ended in a whimper as Indian grapplers continued with dismal show at World Wrestling Championship.
2020 could well have been a year of biopics with females taking centre-stage. After Chhapaak, it was time for Shakuntala Devi and Gangubai Kathiawadi to release later in the year with many more in the pipeline for 2021.
India have done reasonably well in the quadrennial continental event, only twice finishing outside the top eight since hosting the first Asiad in 1951.
Vinesh Phogat's gold medal was India's first since women's wrestling was introduced at the Asian Games in 2002.
Wrestler Babita Phogat congratulated the Hyderabad police department for what they did, saying that it will make every woman in the country really proud.
Anshu Malik is one of the four Indian woman wrestlers to have qualified for the Olympics
The denial of visa to Pakistani shooters had led to the International Olympic Committee suspending discussions with India for hosting future global events.
While skill is not an issue with Vinesh, holding off strong candidates for six minutes is a big challenge, she herself had admitted recently.
Pooja Dhanda, a world championship medallist, said that lack of competition has crippled wrestlers.
Pitted against heavyweights in their respective first round, both Sonam and Anshu cared little for reputations, fighting fearlessly.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will go ahead with the trials in the men's freestyle 74kg category despite a postponement request from the injured Sushil Kumar. Sushil, who has been struggling to revive his career, has pulled out of Friday's trials citing a hand injury and had requested trials in his category to be postponed.
India has just 28 Olympic medals to its credit since making a debut back in 1900.
Was it badminton sensation PV Sindhu, who became the first Indian to win the World Championships gold medal? Or is it the young shooting progidy Saurabh Chaudhary? Or his India colleague Elavenil Valarivan, who recently took over as World No 1? What about India's heroes on the cricketing field -- Virat Kohli? Rohit Sharma?
The villagers have pinned their hopes for development on Ravi, whose success has much to do with the sacrifices and moral guidance of one man -- his father Rakesh Kumar Dahiya.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
WFI is concerned that the good reputation built over the years with stupendous international performances has been ruined.
Star India grappler Vinesh Phogat won her second consecutive gold in 53kg
'But I understand the need for this government move.' 'I completely support Mr Modi.'
2018 was largely forgettable for Sushil Kumar -- India's only double Olympic-medallist -- and Sakshi Malik -- the country's first and only woman wrestler to win a medal at the biggest stage.
Will India finally reach the elusive double-digit mark? Raj Kishore Mishra, former joint secretary at the sports ministry, for one, is willing to stick his neck out on the possibility.
Is Christmas a good time to release big films?
One wonders if Dangal will beat Sultan's box office records when it releases on December 23. Then again, Aamir has the mind of a genius.
Indian athletes will be in action in various disciplines at the 2012 Olympics on Monday. Check out their schedule.
A demand was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the sports ministry should formulate a special policy to promote women sportspersons in the country as they are performing well and could win many Olympic medals.
'To me whole @zairawasim episode smells of sexual bias. Can someone say d same thing 2 @aamir_khan @BeingSalmanKhan @iamsrk?' tweeted Gambhir.
Divya Kakran shrugged off a crushing quarter-final defeat to bag the bronze, ensuring that medals continued to come from the wrestling arena even as three other Indians crashed out early at the Asian Games.
'Rubina has created an image of being this sanskari contestant, but she is totally opposite of what is shown on TV.'
Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are in contention for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award
At the time of ticket distribution, the top BJP leadership preferred the turncoats over its loyal workers.
India's wrestlers received a welcome boost ahead of this month's Asian Games after the federation got automaker Tata Motors as their principal sponsor on Wednesday.
The wrestler became the World No 1 in the 65kg category
Aamir Khan on Dangal and more.
Shrugging off his controversial semi-final defeat, Bajrang Punia bagged his third World Wrestling Championships medal while Ravi Dahiya made his debut memorable by grabbing a bronze.
He will now clash with Switzerland's Stefan Reichmuth for a place in the gold medal match.
Riding on her bronze medal finish at the Rio Olympic Games, Sakshi Malik entered the top-five in the latest UWW (United World Wrestling) rankings, rising to a career-best 4th position in women's 58kg category. Previously unranked, Sakshi, who became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an olympic medal, claimed the position in the latest list.
If a keen tussle for a ticket to Rio Games between double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar and rising star Narsingh Yadav grabbed headlines off the mat, the youngsters showed the sport's bench strength in a country that gave the world the much-touted Pro Wrestling League this year.
Vinesh Phogat doesn't mind being called arrogant for it since the attitude comes in handy to intimidate rivals on the mat.
Made at a budget of Rs 75 crore, the film needs to make Rs 150 crore to break even and book profits.
In this series, we bring you your weekly shot of wisdom from super achievers.
