Jaspal Rana, the acclaimed Indian shooter and high-performance coach, has passed away at 49. Known for mentoring Olympic medallists like Manu Bhaker and other young talents, Rana's contributions significantly shaped Indian shooting. He was a Dronacharya Award recipient.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a silver medal at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, losing 2-4 to China in the final. Despite the loss, their strong performance, including an 8-1 semi-final win against Kazakhstan, earned them a qualification spot for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. Hockey India also announced cash prizes for the team and support staff.
Vinesh Phogat's return to competitive wrestling at the Asian Games selection trials was marked by high tension, emotional outbursts, and heavy security, as her supporters clashed with WFI officials.
Pressure will be on Mirabai Chanu to nail the much-awaited 90kg snatch lift for a shot at that elusive Asian Games medal when the weightlifting competition gets underway in Hangzhou on Saturday.
Indian badminton prodigy Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in straight games at the Taipei Open Super 300, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history.
Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa has strongly criticised FIFA's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, calling the lack of consultation "totally unacceptable". He stated that FIFA's unilateral actions undermine continental football and urged member federations to await further discussions before approving the $20 billion proposal.
IOC Vice-President Juan Antonio Samaranch says new Olympic Charter amendments are vital to protect the IOC's independence amid growing political pressures.
The Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Competition in Ranchi will serve as the selection trial for the Asian U23 Athletics Championships. Athletes aged 20-22 are eligible, and the event also serves as a qualifier for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
At the Asian Games, women pugilists will compete in five weight categories: 51kg, 57kg, 60kg, 69kg and 75kg. While the Olympics will have six weight classes -- 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg and 75kg.
Chhattisgarh's weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav has won a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, bringing pride to the state and the country.
Four Indian boxers have been promoted to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core group following their impressive performances at the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Championships, while three others have been inducted into the Development group.
Jaspreet Kaur and Jhandu Kumar, two Indian para powerlifters, have overcome significant personal challenges, including polio and poverty, to qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
India's Sajan Prakash and Advait Page finished fifth and seventh in their respective finals to draw curtains on the country's swimming campaign at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Friday.
Indian boxers have made significant strides in the latest World Boxing rankings, with Jaismine Lamboria reaching the top spot in the women's 57kg category. Several other Indian athletes, including Priya Ghanghas and Vishvanath Suresh, have broken into the top three, showcasing India's growing strength in both men's and women's boxing globally.
Indian badminton sensation Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen at the Taipei Open Super 300. Coached by Park Tae-sang, she became the first Indian woman to win the singles title there since Saina Nehwal in 2008, showcasing her rising talent and potential.
Indian boxer Vishvanath Suresh defeated world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay at the Asian Boxing Championships, while Ankushita Boro also advanced to the semi-finals.
National record holder Vishal TK has qualified for the men's 400m semifinals at the Commonwealth Games, keeping India's medal aspirations alive. His compatriot Rajesh Ramesh, however, narrowly missed out on qualification. Vishal, who holds the national record of 44.98 seconds, finished second in his heat and will compete in the semifinals on July 30.
Chhattisgarh's weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav has won a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, bringing pride to the state and the country. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao congratulated her, highlighting her achievement as an inspiration for young athletes. Yadav's performance in the 53kg category involved a thrilling contest where she set new personal bests.
Former footballer Aditi Chauhan and ex-hockey captain M M Somaiya will observe Vinesh Phogat's Asian Games trial, representing the IOA and Sports Ministry.
Indian women boxers dominated the Asian Boxing Championships, securing four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Minakshi Hooda, Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, and Arundhati Choudhary all won gold in their respective weight categories.
Following is a look at some new and the more unusual events in the schedule of the 19th edition of the Asian Games:
Jaspal Rana, a legendary Indian shooter and influential coach, has passed away at 49 after battling cardiac issues. He was a pioneer who brought shooting into the national spotlight with his fearless performances and later shaped the careers of many world-class athletes, including Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on Indian sports.
Wushu athlete Mepung Lamgu has gone incommunicado since being denied visa to travel to China for the Asian Games.
Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen will lead the Indian contingent at the Asian Boxing Championships in Mongolia.
Randhir Singh, a prominent figure in Indian sports and the Olympic movement, has died at the age of 79. He was known for his contributions as an athlete, administrator, and advocate for Indian sports on the international stage.
At 31, it would be too early and unwise to phase out a special talent like Sanju Samson, who despite the odd blip appears to be enjoying the best phase of his India career.
Unlike Asia's other populous giant China, India have never made much of a splash at the Olympics, their seven-medal haul at the Tokyo Games a record for the nation. Adding cricket to the Olympic programme -- as is expected for the 2028 Los Angeles Games -- could help boost the tally.
Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana has passed away at 49 after a medical procedure following illness during a flight from the ISSF World Cup.
India have rested Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya from the Ireland and England tours as selectors prioritise the pacer's role in the World Test Championship and Pandya's importance to India's ODI World Cup plans.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a deepening crisis after his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup was abandoned, leading to public distancing from influential executives and calls for his removal from office.
With economic problems and job cuts, Hangzhou locals and people in other parts of China are not very pleased about hosting the Asian Games.
Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Simran Singhi, and Kavipriya Selvam are set to make their BWF World Championships debut as India hosts the prestigious badminton event after 17 years, offering a significant platform for these rising stars.
GFI president Sudhir Mital said the uncertainty over the participation of Indian gymnasts in the upcoming Asian Games is causing confusion and having a "psychological" impact on the athletes.
Thailand claimed the first esports medal awarded at the Asian Games on Tuesday, winning a bronze in a playoff against Vietnam in a mobile phone game.
Sharmila Dhankar, a polio-afflicted survivor of domestic abuse, clinched a gold medal in the women's F57 seated shot put at the Commonwealth Games, marking a triumph of resilience and athletic prowess.
Organisers keen on cricket in 2026 Asian Games despite venue headache
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Friday that the world soccer's governing body has abandoned its controversial plans to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, following widespread backlash from major confederations and internal dissent.
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar advances to the final of the Asian Boxing Championships, while Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain are eliminated in the semi-finals.
Top Indian shuttlers have received a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, with PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen getting relatively favourable starts, while Asian Championships silver medallist Ayush Shetty faces a formidable opening round against defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China.
She was a gold medallist in the same category at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu-Pokhara.
