India has announced its 20-member women's hockey squad, led by Salima Tete, for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The team aims to secure a gold medal to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with minor changes to the strike force from the FIH Nations Cup winning side.
India's boxing contingent delivered a knockout day at the Commonwealth Games, with ten pugilists storming into the finals and keeping the gold rush alive.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow with a vibrant ceremony blending Scottish heritage and a strong message of sustainability. King Charles III declared the Games open, highlighting efforts to combat plastic pollution. The event featured a unique indoor setting, an early athletes' parade including the Indian contingent, and diverse musical and cultural performances, setting a new precedent for the multi-sport event.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games have commenced in Glasgow, marking the city's second time hosting the event. This edition is significantly scaled down with a reduced budget and fewer sports and athletes, following Victoria's withdrawal. King Charles III is inaugurating the Games, which will feature 123 Indian athletes, though India's medal tally is expected to be impacted by the exclusion of key sports. India is set to host the 2030 CWG in Ahmedabad.
Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are missing from the list of probables for the Asian Games, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been included in the 30-member squad submitted by the BCCI to the IOA.
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia highlights a significant shift in the Indian women's hockey team's mindset and dressing room atmosphere, attributing their best World Cup finish in over five decades to a newfound belief and openness among players.
Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu secured her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold, breaking records in the women's 48kg weightlifting. Rishikanta Singh and Raja Muthupandi also added silver medals, contributing to India's growing tally at the Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has introduced a new "Strategic Dialogue" phase in its host selection process for the 2036 Olympic Games, aiming for greater transparency and cost control. This new phase will impact India's bid, with the final host decision expected in mid-2029.
Tero Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. has launched Quest India 2026, marking the official introduction of 3x3 basketball to the country. This fast-paced, urban Olympic sport, backed by BFI and FIBA, will feature its inaugural event in September 2026, blending elite competition with street culture.
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old shooter from Kerala, has secured a spot in India's Asian Games squad for the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events, overcoming significant financial hurdles and training setbacks through resilience and family support.
Can AI transform grassroots 'If technology can help develop players a little quicker and make coaching more informed, then it has done its job.'
The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has approved significant amendments to its Memorandum of Association, including the addition of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, creation of a Dispute Resolution Committee, and modifications to its election process, all aimed at aligning with the National Sports Governance Act.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 191-member Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, comprising 126 athletes and 51 officials. The Ministry has stipulated that expenses for Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Committee members will not be covered by the government. Additionally, National Sports Federations are required to conduct background checks on their contingents, and a performance report must be submitted post-Games.
A Chinese humanoid robot, Tiangong Ultra, achieved a remarkable feat by running the 100 metres in 8.64 seconds, surpassing Usain Bolt's human world record. This achievement occurred at the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, showcasing significant advancements in robot mobility and embodied artificial intelligence. The event highlighted the rapid progress in robotics, with spectators noting improved capabilities and developers seeing it as a crucial test bed for future applications.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer announced that India will send 125-130 athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, participating in eight able-bodied and four para sports. The IOA is also preparing for the Asian Games and is in talks with the IOC for India's 2036 Olympic bid in Ahmedabad, which is also set to host the 2030 CWG. Iyer clarified that the IOA will not interfere in athlete selection matters.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the establishment of 25 centres of excellence and 96 sports development hubs to increase athlete participation from the state in the 2036 Olympic Games.
The 2026 Hockey World Cup saw Argentina break the Netherlands' dominance in women's hockey, while Germany successfully defended their men's title. The tournament, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, featured simultaneous men's and women's events, highlighting shifting hierarchies and India's mixed performance with promising women's results and disappointing men's outcomes.
India's national record holder in shot put, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, is determined to breach the 22m mark, aiming to elevate the standard for future generations of Indian shot putters, drawing inspiration from Neeraj Chopra's impact on javelin throw. Despite a history of injuries, including a recent calf tear at the Commonwealth Games, Toor is now fit and focused on achieving a hat-trick of gold medals at the upcoming continental event.
India's Women's Hockey team will compete against higher-ranked Germany in the fifth-place playoff at the Women's Hockey World Cup, aiming to conclude their impressive campaign with a victory and build momentum for the upcoming Asian Games.
Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor has retired from professional boxing after a stellar career, concluding with a unanimous decision victory over Flora Pili at Croke Park. Before a massive 83,000-strong home crowd, Taylor, an undisputed world super-lightweight champion, celebrated her final fight, reflecting on her journey from Olympic gold to professional dominance.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the China Masters Super 750 title, overcoming a strong Chinese pair in a thrilling comeback. This victory, their second of the 2026 season, provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the Asian Games, where they plan to play "all guns blazing." The duo attributed their success to a "mindfully aggressive" strategy and improved service.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu to win the China Masters Super 750, gaining a major boost ahead of the Asian Games gold defence.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) will commence in Hyderabad on October 8, featuring 12 international archers, including Olympic bronze medallist Casey Kaufhold and other Olympic medallists like Mete Gazoz and Alejandra Valencia. The 11-day tournament aims to establish India as a key destination on the global archery calendar.
India's chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair has confirmed that javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is in 'perfect physical shape' ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, expressing strong confidence that India will surpass its previous medal tally and potentially achieve a record number of gold medals.
Only biological females, determined by gene screening, will be allowed at Olympic Games female events, says IOC.
The Asian Games could shift to odd-numbered years after the 2026 edition, effectively moving to the year before the Olympics to serve as a key qualifying event across more sports, according to reports.
China's Zheng Qinwen achieved a remarkable comeback victory against American Madison Keys in the U.S. Open third round, recovering from a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set. This win marks a significant moment for Zheng, who has been battling a chronic right elbow injury and underwent surgery last year, forcing her to go through qualifying.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has appointed Prashant Singh, a former Khelo India Scheme official with over a decade of experience, as the Regional Director for its Gandhinagar centre. He will also oversee operations across Gujarat and Rajasthan, with a focus on developing Para Sports.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in a three-game thriller to reach their third China Masters final. The world No. 5 pair showcased tactical brilliance and resilience, overcoming a second-game lapse to secure their spot in the summit clash, where they aim for their second title of the season.
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a career marked by numerous club and international accolades, including multiple Ballon d'Or awards and a World Cup title.
India's new men's freestyle wrestling coach Shako Bentinidis believes Sujeet Kalkal has the potential to become an Olympic medallist but must further sharpen his technical skills. He also urged Indian coaches to continuously upgrade themselves through greater exposure to international training methods and evolving tactical trends in the sport.
Legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh expressed strong frustration over India's poor performance at the FIH World Cup, criticising the team's 'underwhelming showing' and demanding accountability. He questioned the 'learning experience' narrative and highlighted issues in both men's and women's team management, urging a focus on winning rather than just playing good hockey.
Star Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured the China Masters Super 750 title after a thrilling three-game comeback victory against China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu. This marks their second title of the season and provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
The National Jute Board has developed a jute-viscose blended apparel for Indian athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, marking the first time jute-based attire will be featured at an international multi-sport event, promoting sustainable textiles and India's jute industry.
Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have advanced to the China Masters final for the third time, overcoming Malaysian opponents Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in a three-game thriller. The world No. 5 duo, who are playing their second tournament after a break, are now one step away from securing their second title of the season and will face China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in the summit clash.
Japanese ice-skating champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, known as 'Riku-Ryu', have announced their engagement, becoming partners off as well as on the ice after winning Olympic gold.
India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, were defeated in straight games by China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the quarter-finals of the BWF World Championships, ending their bid for a third medal at the event.
India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.
India's top 400m runners, including Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi and Jay Kumar, view the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as a more challenging competition than the Asian Games. They believe the higher standard of competition, especially from Australia and England, will serve as an ideal proving ground to improve their performance and achieve personal bests ahead of the continental showpiece.
Indian para swimmer Tejas Nandakumar has been ruled out of the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to a classification issue. His entry, initially accepted, was later rejected by organisers after a validation process by World Para Athletics, citing his R-2025 class status as ineligible for the G2026 competition.
