For women's hockey goalkeeping stalwart Savita Punia, the Padma Shri is more than a national honour -- it is a quiet acknowledgement of years marked by sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief, both her own and that of a family that stood by her when the odds were firmly stacked against her.
There is a quiet air of confidence at the wrestling camp being held at Sonepat to prepare India's brightest wrestling prospects for the Asian Games in Incheon.
Deepika, world number seven, and the 19th ranked Atanu were favourites against the Mongolians.
'That's the stuff that a lot of people don't see...the work that you put in, away from the shiny lights and the TV, but it's always nice I guess when you get the rewards from that.'
Pomona, a city in South California, will host the cricket competition during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ICC announced in Dubai on Tuesday.
India's unhindered supremacy in the kabaddi competition at the Asian Games continued as both the men's and women's teams successfully defended their respective gold medals with hard-fought final triumphs over Iran in Incheon on Friday.
The sudden postponement of the boxing trials for the Asian Games has left Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom fuming as she termed the last-minute schedule change as highly unprofessional' on the part of the organisers.
Tickets for the match on September 14 are in huge demand than for any other match. Most journalists are also arriving only in time for this match, even skipping India's opening match against the UAE on September 10.
'It's a tough setback, but I'm determined to do the hard work and come back stronger. Thank you for all your messages of support. I'll be back faster and stronger.'
Pakistan's 456-strong contingent for the upcoming South Asian Games in India has been cleared by its government to participate in the event starting February 5.
A new national record, a string of personal bests, and six final-day medals capped India's campaign at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships as they signed off with a total haul of 24 medals.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been retained by RCB alongside seasoned campaigners like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry for the next year's competition, and planning is in full swing to get their hands on the elusive trophy.
Talking extensively to Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi before flying out for the Asian Games, Mary gets candid about the life-changing Bollywood biopic Mary Kom, missing out on the Commonweath Games berth, her fight with the Sports Authority of India and what drives her to be the best inside the squared rope.
'I suspect that Bangladesh being given permission stuck in India's official craw, and this story was an attempt to balance the scales by giving the impression that a similar waiver had been given to India as well.'
K N Shanth Kumar on Saturday expressed relief after the High Court declared his nomination papers for the post of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) valid.
Indian football remained in a state of terminal decline after experiencing arguably its darkest phase in a year marked by severe administrative crisis, court hearings, financial issues, absence of domestic leagues, and a steep decline in performance of the senior men's team.
To prevent India Open-like mess, Sports Ministry asks SAI to draw up SOP
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist and women's badminton great Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei announced her retirement from the sport, bringing curtains down on a glittering career during which she won 17 BWF World Tour titles and finished runner-up in 12 tournaments.
'No one had thought that a para-athlete can throw 70m when I started the game. Now, I am able to do it. So, we will try to throw 75m or 80m.'
'In general, I needed a short break from sports because I had worked extremely hard for the Paralympics. I was happy with my performance, but not winning a medal left me a little disappointed. I channelled my energy into other things... overall, the past year has been wonderful in its own way.'
Avinash Sable eyes personal best and World Championship redemption
Indian women boxers, led by star pugilist Nikhat Zareen, lived up to their top billings to claim seven gold medals, while Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach also clinched the coveted yellow metal at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida on Thursday.
'I would have quit if I'd have won Paris Olympic medal'
Pursuing a largely unrewarding Olympic sport in a cricket-obsessed country requires adjustments but heptathlete Swapna Barman has taken it to a new level -- squeezing six toes in each shoe designed for five.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu shocked World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi of China to storm into the quarterfinals of the World Championships, in Paris on Thursday.
Two-time gold medallist Nikhat Zareen has put behind the disappointment of missing out on a third World Championships medal, and is now focussed on collecting maximum ranking points by winning the top prize in the upcoming World Boxing Cup Finals.
TJ, Animesh Kujur enter TOPS developmental group; Pranati named for TAGG
The teenager, trained under coach Abhinav Sinha at the Chance2Sports Foundation in Pune, defeated players older and more experienced than her throughout the competition. Sharing how she prepared mentally for the challenge, Anika credited her planning and composure.
National record holder pole vaulter, coach face humiliation; forced to pay to travel with kits
Those in the soccer competition that started ahead of the main event beginning on Saturday have borne the brunt of the disruption.
Optimistically preparing to shoot at the Games, air pistol exponent Verma, 29, is a late bloomer.
India aim to rebuild in inconsequential Dhaka tie vs Bangladesh
Tuesday's match holds importance for India as any slip-up could be disastrous in their bid to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Pakistan didn't send its team to India for the men's Asia Cup in August in Rajgir, Bihar, with Bangladesh replacing them.
Pressure will be on India against Singapore, but Jhingan available for matches: Jamil
'I had a feeling from within that this tournament (Asia Cup) would be something special, but I did not think that I would become the player-of-the-tournament.'
Known for his Zen-like poise and preparation bordering on self-flagellation, the Olympic gold medallist shooter has mastered the art of defying expectations from a nation of 1.2 billion that has rarely tasted success in Olympic sport.
The tournament, being hosted under the aegis of World Boxing, featured four boxers in the women's 75kg category -- Borgohain, Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee Boxing Team, Qian and England's Chantal Reid -- and held in a round robin format.
With Fatorda buzzing and continental football back where it belongs, the Gaurs will hope to make a statement and prove they belong among Asia's elite.
