Indian tennis great Rohan Bopanna has questioned the decision to trim the country's tennis squad for the 2026 Asian Games, arguing that athletes should get an opportunity to prove themselves on the court rather than being judged solely on selection criteria and numbers.

The controversy began after the Sports Ministry removed five players from the 12-member squad submitted by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) for the upcoming Asian Games. The reduced squad has since drawn criticism from Bopanna, who said athletes deserve an opportunity to compete for India.

In a post on LinkedIn, Bopanna said the players were not seeking special treatment but an opportunity to demonstrate their ability.

“I'm a proud Indian. And today, I want to speak up for these tennis players who deserve better. They didn't ask for mercy. They asked for a chance,” Bopanna said.

His criticism centres on the broader question of how India's Asian Games squads should be selected. Bopanna argued that sporting performance should have a greater role in deciding who represents the country.

The former world No. 1 doubles player summed up his position with the line: “Let sport decide, not spreadsheet.”

Five Players Dropped From AITA's List

AITA had submitted a 12-player list for the Asian Games, but five names were subsequently removed by the Sports Ministry. The decision means India's tennis contingent will head into the continental event with a smaller squad than the national federation had proposed.

The cuts have raised concerns about opportunities for players who were included in AITA's original selection but will now miss the event.

Bopanna's intervention adds weight to the debate because of his standing in Indian tennis and his experience of representing the country at major international competitions.

Why the Selection Debate Matters

The Asian Games provide Indian athletes an important international platform, particularly in sports where selection for multi-sport events can influence rankings, exposure and future opportunities.

For tennis players, the chance to compete at a major continental event can also provide valuable experience against strong Asian opposition. Bopanna's argument is that such opportunities should not be determined purely by administrative calculations.

At the same time, the Sports Ministry's decision reflects the selection framework under which India's Asian Games contingents are finalised. The ministry has previously applied performance-related criteria while assessing proposals from national sports federations.

The current dispute therefore goes beyond the five players who were removed. It raises a larger question over how much weight should be given to performance benchmarks, squad limits and federation recommendations when finalising India's entries for a major multi-sport event.

Bopanna's Message to Indian Tennis

Bopanna's comments have brought the issue into public focus ahead of the 2026 Asian Games. Rather than questioning the players' ability, his argument is that they should have the opportunity to settle the matter through competition.

The final tennis contingent will now carry the responsibility of representing India at the continental event, while the selection controversy has put renewed attention on the process used to determine the squad.

For Bopanna, the principle is straightforward: selection decisions should give athletes a genuine opportunity to let their performances on the court make the case.

India’s disappointing Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign has prompted a blunt assessment from former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Following the men’s team’s 3-5 defeat to Argentina in Amstelveen, Sreejesh called for greater accountability and questioned the tendency to describe major tournament failures as part of a learning process.

Sreejesh, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, said global tournaments cannot be treated as preparation for something that comes later. He urged those responsible to ask difficult questions about India’s performance rather than repeatedly looking towards future competitions.

“Stop hiding behind ‘learning’, ‘good hockey’ and future tournaments,” Sreejesh said, according to the Press Trust of India report.

The defeat against Argentina ended India’s already slim hopes of reaching the men’s Hockey World Cup semi-finals. The team conceded five goals in the match and could not recover despite scoring three of their own.

Sreejesh Raises the Accountability Question

Sreejesh’s criticism comes from someone who knows the pressure of playing for India at major international tournaments. He was part of the Indian teams that won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, making him one of the most decorated players of his generation.

After India’s World Cup exit, he said the focus should now turn towards understanding what went wrong rather than simply moving on to the next tournament.

The former goalkeeper described the questions that need to be asked as “difficult” and “uncomfortable”. His central concern was whether Indian hockey is taking enough responsibility for underwhelming performances on the biggest stage.

The comments come at a time when expectations around Indian hockey remain high. India have invested heavily in the sport over the past decade, while the national teams have also enjoyed notable success at the Olympics and Asian competitions.

India’s World Cup Campaign

The men’s team entered the World Cup with hopes of making a deep run, but their campaign eventually ended before the semi-final stage.

The 3-5 defeat to Argentina proved decisive. With the result, India were eliminated from contention despite having only wafer-thin hopes of progressing before the match.

Sreejesh’s comments also arrive in the aftermath of the women’s team missing out on the semi-finals. The Indian women were held to a 0-0 draw by Australia in a must-win encounter on Saturday, ending their hopes of reaching the last four.

The simultaneous struggles of both Indian teams have consequently intensified scrutiny over the country's performance at the tournament.

What Happens Next for Indian Hockey?

Sreejesh’s remarks put the spotlight on what Indian hockey needs to address after the World Cup rather than treating the tournament as an isolated setback.

The immediate priority will be to assess the performances, identify the reasons behind the disappointing results and determine what changes, if any, are required before the next major international assignment.

For Sreejesh, however, the message is clear: future tournaments cannot be used as an excuse to avoid examining present shortcomings. His call for accountability ensures that India’s World Cup exit is likely to remain a subject of debate even after the tournament moves towards its decisive stages.

India will look to add to its medal tally on Day 7 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with athletes competing across weightlifting, athletics, para athletics, swimming, para swimming and boxing. The day begins with Sanjana in the women's 77kg weightlifting final, giving India an early medal opportunity. Attention will then shift to athletics, where experienced shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Singh Gill will compete in the qualification round, while sprinter Animesh Kujur will line up in the men's 200m heats. In swimming, Sajan Prakash and Aneesh S. Gowda will compete in the men's 200m freestyle heats, hoping tobook places in the final later in the evening. India will also be represented in para swimming by Suyash Narayan Jadhav and Chaitanya Vishwas Kulkarni, who will aim to qualify for the men's 50m freestyle S7 final. The Indian contingent enters another crucial day with several medal prospects across different disciplines.

Boxing will remain one of India's biggest areas of focus, with six Indian boxers entering the quarterfinal stage. Sakshi Choudhary will face Caitlin Fryers of Northern Ireland in the women's 51kg category, followed by Arundhati Choudhary against New Zealand's Morgan Henderson in the women's 70kg division. In the men's events, Sachin Siwach takes on Botswana's Treasure Moremi in the 60kg quarterfinal, Ankush Yadav faces Jade Micock of Seychelles in the 80kg category, while Narender Berwal meets Samoa's Michael Seko in the 90+kg contest. Later in the night, Jaismine Lamboria will square off against England's Elise Glynn in the women's 57kg quarterfinal. Victory in these bouts would guarantee at least a bronze medal under Commonwealth Games boxing rules, making it a high-stakes day for the Indian boxing team.

Several medal events are also scheduled late in the evening and early hours of Thursday. Sreeshankar Murali and Lokesh Satyanathan will compete in the men's long jump final, while Manpreet Kaur will represent India in the women's shot put final. In para athletics, Devender Kumar and Sagar Thayat will contest the men's discus throw final, while Mohammed Basil M and Dilip Mahadu Gavit will compete in the men's 100m T47 final. Distance swimmer Aryan Nehra is set to race in the men's 1500m freestyle final, provided he remains on schedule, and Parul Choudhary will challenge for a medal in the women's 3000m steeplechase final. India will also feature in lawn bowls, with Dinesh Kumar and Navneet Singh facing Namibia in the men's pairs event, while Nayanmoni Saikia competes against Caroline Whitehead of the Isle of Man in the women's singles. With medal events spread throughout the day, India has multiple opportunities to strengthen its position in the Commonwealth Games medal standings.

Gulveer Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the men's 10,000m event at the Commonwealth Games. Competing in challenging conditions at Scotstoun Stadium, the 27-year-old clocked 27 minutes 49.78 seconds to secure the silver medal.

Australia's Kai Robinson claimed the gold medal, while Isle of Man's Mullarkey finished third to take bronze.

The race was contested in wet conditions after persistent rain made the track slippery. Gulveer remained in contention throughout but began the final lap in fourth position before producing a remarkable finishing burst to move into the silver-medal position.

The achievement marks another milestone in Indian long-distance running and adds to Gulveer's growing reputation on the international stage.

Army Aspirant Turned International Medallist

Gulveer Singh hails from Sirsa village in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district and currently serves as a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army. He initially took up running while preparing for army recruitment before joining the Grenadiers Regiment in 2018. His athletics career accelerated after entering military service, eventually earning him a place in India's national squad.

His Commonwealth Games silver is considered one of the biggest achievements of his career so far.

Harjinder Kaur Wins Second Consecutive Commonwealth Games Medal

India's second silver medal of the day came in women's weightlifting, where Harjinder Kaur finished runner-up in the 69kg category with a combined lift of 227 kilograms.

Harjinder produced a personal-best lift of 101kg in the snatch before successfully lifting 126kg in the clean and jerk to secure the silver medal.

Canada's Charlotte Simonneau won gold with a total lift of 240kg, while Australia's Phoebe Heyman took bronze after also finishing with 227kg but losing out on countback.

Following her medal-winning performance, Harjinder acknowledged the crowd with folded hands before celebrating with the Indian contingent.

Journey From Kabaddi to International Weightlifting

Harjinder, who belongs to Mahesh village in Punjab's Nabha region, initially participated in kabaddi and tug of war before switching to weightlifting on the advice of coach Parvinder Sharma.

Her physical strength, developed through household work such as operating traditional fodder-cutting equipment, proved beneficial after making the transition to weightlifting.

After winning bronze at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, she has now upgraded her medal to silver in Glasgow and has openly stated that winning gold remains her long-term objective.

India Continues Strong Weightlifting Campaign

Harjinder's medal became India's seventh in weightlifting at the ongoing Games.

Earlier in the competition, Mirabai Chanu won gold, while Rishikant Singh, Gyaneshwari Yadav, Raja Muthupandi and Ajay Babu secured silver medals. Bindiyarani Devi added a bronze medal to India's tally.

Weightlifting has once again emerged as one of India's strongest disciplines at the Games.

Three Indian Boxers Assure Medals

India also guaranteed three boxing medals after Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas and Jadumani Singh advanced to the semi-finals of their respective weight categories.

Preeti Pawar defeated Northern Ireland's Nicole Clyde 5-0 in the women's 54kg quarter-final.

Priya Ghanghas overcame Scotland's Nia Mitchell by a 4-1 margin in the women's 60kg category.

In the men's 55kg division, Jadumani Singh registered a dominant 5-0 victory over Zambia's Mwengo Mwale.

All three boxers will compete in the semi-finals on July 31. Since Commonwealth Games boxing awards bronze medals to both losing semi-finalists, each has already secured at least a bronze medal for India.

Other Indian Performances

Weightlifter Nirupama Devi Seram narrowly missed out on a medal in the women's 63kg category after failing all three attempts in the clean and jerk. She had earlier finished fifth in the snatch with a lift of 93kg.

In athletics, Vishal TK qualified for the men's 400m semi-finals after finishing second in his heat with a timing of 46.49 seconds, while Rajesh Ramesh failed to progress.

Swimming saw mixed fortunes for India. Srihari Nataraj qualified for the men's 100m backstroke semi-finals with a time of 55.58 seconds. However, Sajan Prakash exited the men's 50m butterfly heats.

In para swimming, Karthik Budigina and Ali Imam advanced to the final of the men's 50m freestyle S13 event after finishing among the fastest qualifiers.

India slipped to ninth place in the overall medal standings despite adding two more silver medals, while Australia continued to dominate the Games with 35 gold medals and a total haul of 80 medals.

 Sharmila Dhankar created history on Monday by becoming the first Indian para athlete to win a gold medal in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, claiming the top spot in the women's F57 shot put event.

The 40-year-old delivered a season-best throw of 9.81 metres, securing India's maiden gold medal in Commonwealth Games para athletics and ending the country's two-decade wait for a medal in the discipline.

The landmark achievement marked another milestone for India's growing success in international para sports.

Season-Best Throw Seals Historic Gold

Dhankar remained consistent throughout the competition before producing her best effort of 9.81m, which proved enough to secure the gold medal.

Competing in the F57 classification, which includes athletes with lower-limb impairments, limb deficiencies or reduced muscle power, the Indian athlete outperformed a competitive field to finish at the top of the podium.

Her victory also came after an impressive season that included a gold medal at the Fazza International Para Athletics Championship earlier this year.

India Adds Bronze After Successful Protest

India's medal tally in the event increased after Shilpa Shyla was upgraded to the bronze medal following a successful protest by the Indian contingent.

Shyla had initially finished fourth despite recording a personal-best throw of 7.26 metres.

Nigeria's Eucharia Iyiazi, who was originally placed third, lost her bronze medal after officials reviewed the competition and ruled that her only valid throw was a foul.

Following the review, Shyla was elevated to the bronze medal position.

Reports suggested that Nigeria could file a counter protest against the decision.

Emotional Celebration for Indian Athletes

The revised result sparked emotional scenes as Shyla celebrated alongside Dhankar after officially being awarded the bronze medal.

India thus finished the women's F57 shot put event with two medals, adding further significance to Dhankar's historic gold-medal performance.

Journey of Determination

Dhankar contracted polio in her left leg at the age of two but continued pursuing athletics despite physical challenges.

She represented India at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where she narrowly missed a podium finish after ending fourth.

Her gold-medal performance in Glasgow marks a significant improvement and establishes her among India's leading para athletes on the international stage.

Major Milestone for Indian Para Sports

Dhankar's victory is expected to provide further momentum to India's para athletics programme, which has witnessed rapid progress in recent years across Paralympic and international competitions.

The historic achievement also highlights the increasing depth of Indian para sport, with athletes continuing to deliver strong performances at major global events.

Rishikant secured the silver medal after lifting a combined total of 264 kilograms, finishing behind Malaysia's Aniq Kasdan. Although the medal added another significant achievement to India's weightlifting campaign, it also highlighted the remarkable journey that brought the young lifter to the international stage.

Watching the competition from Barmer in Rajasthan, where he is posted with the Indian Army, Rishikant's elder brother Amarjeet Singh became emotional as each successful lift brought his sibling closer to the podium. For the family, the medal represented much more than sporting success—it was the reward for years of struggle, determination and collective sacrifice.

According to Amarjeet, Rishikant's sporting journey began around 2007–08 when a school teacher informed the family about a sports academy run by the Manipur government. At the time, Rishikant wanted to pursue boxing. However, during the selection trials, coaches recognised his physical potential and advised him to switch to weightlifting, a decision that would eventually transform his career.

The family's financial condition during those years was extremely difficult. Amarjeet recalled that their father struggled with alcohol addiction, leaving their mother to shoulder most household responsibilities. The family, consisting of two brothers and two sisters, decided to fully support Rishikant after he won his first medal in a regional competition in northeast India.

From 2009 to 2012, Rishikant's mother and both sisters reportedly worked as agricultural labourers in other people's fields to earn enough money for his nutrition and training expenses. Although hostel facilities covered basic meals, specialised weightlifting training required additional nutritional support and supplements that the family struggled to afford.

Whenever Rishikant returned home from training, he joined his family in manual labour to contribute to household income. Despite the physical demands of competitive sport, he remained closely connected to the family's daily struggles.

Financial challenges continued as Rishikant progressed through the ranks. When he earned selection for his first junior international competition, the family did not have sufficient funds to finance the trip. Amarjeet said he borrowed money from friends to ensure his younger brother could represent India. Similar financial assistance was arranged several times to support Rishikant's training, diet and travel requirements during the early years of his career.

The family's resilience was tested again earlier this year when Rishikant's father was diagnosed with blood cancer after medical examinations at AIIMS Jodhpur. Despite the emotional and financial burden of ongoing treatment, the family deliberately chose not to seek financial assistance from Rishikant, fearing that it might affect his Commonwealth Games preparation.

Amarjeet explained that Rishikant repeatedly offered to contribute towards medical expenses after securing employment with the Indian Navy. However, the family declined his help, insisting that his focus should remain entirely on training and maintaining the demanding nutritional regimen required for elite weightlifting.

Personal sacrifices extended beyond financial hardship. As the youngest member of the family, Rishikant was unable to attend either of his sisters' weddings because they coincided with important competitions and training commitments. He visited home only after fulfilling his sporting responsibilities.

Although delighted with the silver medal, Amarjeet admitted that the family still wonders whether they could have done more to help Rishikant reach the top step of the podium. He believes that if financial constraints had been fewer during his formative years, perhaps the result might have been different.

The family's own ambitions were also reshaped by circumstances. Amarjeet abandoned his higher education after Class 12 to support the household, while the family's dream of seeing one of the sisters become a doctor also remained unfulfilled due to financial limitations.

Today, however, they take pride in seeing Rishikant graduate, represent India on the international stage and inspire countless young athletes from modest backgrounds. His Commonwealth Games silver medal stands not only as a personal sporting achievement but also as a tribute to the resilience of a family that refused to let poverty stand in the way of a dream.

Chanu registered lifts of 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk, finishing comfortably ahead of the competition. Her performance also saw her rewrite the Games record, making it a landmark victory for the 31-year-old lifter. The triumph marked India's first gold medal of the Glasgow Games and added a fourth Commonwealth Games medal to Chanu's career after her silver at Glasgow 2014 and gold medals at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

The Indian weightlifter had a nervy start after missing her opening snatch attempt at 82kg. However, she quickly regained composure by successfully clearing 82kg in her second attempt before lifting 85kg in the final attempt to establish a new Commonwealth and Games record in the discipline. In the clean and jerk section, Chanu missed her opening effort but bounced back with a successful 105kg lift to seal the gold medal.

Her victory completed a remarkable hat-trick of Commonwealth Games titles, making her the first Indian woman to achieve three consecutive weightlifting gold medals at the event. Chanu later described the achievement as a humbling moment, thanking her coaches, support staff and fans for standing by her throughout her journey.

India's weightlifting campaign also received a major boost through two silver medals on the same day.

Chanambam Rishikanta Singh secured silver in the men's 60kg category after lifting a combined total of 264kg, comprising 121kg in the snatch and 143kg in the clean and jerk. His 121kg snatch equalled the Commonwealth Games record, although he narrowly missed out on the gold after the clean and jerk competition.

Raja Muthupandi added another silver in the men's 65kg event. The Tamil Nadu weightlifter managed lifts of 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 286kg. Malaysia's Aznil Bidin claimed the gold medal with a Games record total of 299kg, while Muthupandi's runner-up finish completed India's successful day in weightlifting.

Earlier in the Games, para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar had opened India's medal tally by winning a bronze medal. With Chanu's gold and two weightlifting silvers, India's tally has now reached four medals—one gold, two silver and one bronze—placing the country inside the top ten of the overall standings after the opening phase of competition.

The Indian contingent entered the Games with a reduced weightlifting squad after the country's quota was cut from 16 to 11 athletes because of previous anti-doping violations. Despite the setback, India's weightlifters have made an impressive start, once again underlining the nation's strength in the sport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mirabai Chanu following her victory, describing her performance as another glorious chapter in Indian weightlifting and praising her consistency on the Commonwealth stage.

With several medal events still to come in boxing, athletics, wrestling and other disciplines, India will look to build on the momentum created by its weightlifters as the Commonwealth Games continue in Glasgow.

Sindhu produced one of her finest performances of recent years to register a 21-17, 21-17 victory over the former world champion in front of the home crowd. The win ended her long wait for a major BWF World Tour title and marked her maiden Super 750 championship, adding another significant achievement to an already decorated career.

The triumph also made Sindhu the first Indian player to win the Japan Open since the tournament's inception. It was another reminder of her ability to deliver on the biggest stages after a challenging phase that had seen her struggle with injuries and inconsistent results over the past two seasons.

Sindhu started the final confidently and matched Yamaguchi in long rallies before taking control with her powerful smashes and aggressive net play. She maintained a narrow lead throughout the opening game before closing it 21-17.

The second game followed a similar pattern. Yamaguchi attempted to increase the pace and force errors from the Indian, but Sindhu remained composed under pressure. She mixed attacking strokes with disciplined defence, gradually extending her advantage before sealing the match in straight games to complete a historic victory.

The title capped an impressive week for the Indian star. Sindhu had entered the final after defeating China's Chen Yufei in the semi-finals, ending a two-year wait for a place in a BWF World Tour final. Earlier in the tournament, she also registered a commanding victory over world No. 5 Han Yue and benefited from Nozomi Okuhara's withdrawal in the quarter-finals.

For Indian badminton, Sindhu's victory comes as a significant boost ahead of the remainder of the international season. While several Indian players exited the tournament early, the former world champion carried the country's challenge single-handedly and finished it in style with one of the biggest titles of her career.

The Japan Open crown is expected to strengthen Sindhu's confidence ahead of upcoming BWF tournaments, including the China Open and the World Championships. Her performances throughout the week reflected improved movement, sharper attacking play and greater consistency, suggesting that the Indian ace has regained the form that once made her one of the most feared players on the international circuit.

The victory is another landmark in Sindhu's remarkable journey, which already includes two Olympic medals, a World Championship title and multiple medals at major international events. By adding the Japan Open Super 750 trophy to her collection, she has once again reinforced her place among India's greatest sporting icons and provided Indian badminton with another historic moment on the global stage.

The highly anticipated contest between two of badminton's most familiar rivals began on an even note, with both players engaging in long rallies before Okuhara was forced to withdraw due to physical discomfort. The Japanese shuttler had entered the quarter-finals after receiving a walkover in the previous round when top seed An Se-young pulled out of the tournament, but her campaign came to an unfortunate end against Sindhu.

Sindhu entered the match with confidence after producing one of her best performances of the season in the Round of 16. The two-time Olympic medallist had stunned world No. 5 Han Yue of China in straight games, winning 21-16, 21-14 in just 35 minutes to become India's lone remaining challenger in the tournament.

The quarter-final against Okuhara was another chapter in one of women's badminton's most celebrated rivalries. The two former world champions have faced each other numerous times over the past decade, including the memorable 2017 World Championships final. Their latest meeting, however, ended prematurely because of Okuhara's retirement, handing Sindhu passage to the last four.

With the victory, Sindhu has now booked a semi-final clash against China's Chen Yufei, one of the strongest contenders on the BWF World Tour. Chen, the Tokyo Olympic champion, has consistently been among the world's top-ranked players and is expected to provide Sindhu with her toughest challenge of the tournament so far.

The upcoming encounter will also be another significant test for the Indian star, who has shown encouraging signs of returning to her best form after a series of strong performances during the 2026 season. A place in the final would mark Sindhu's best run at a Super 750 event this year and further strengthen her preparations ahead of the BWF World Championships.

Sindhu has remained India's only surviving participant in Tokyo after early exits for several other Indian shuttlers. Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty and Unnati Hooda bowed out in the opening rounds, while men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty retired hurt because of a shoulder injury to Satwik.

The Japan Open is one of the final major tournaments before the World Championships, making Sindhu's deep run particularly significant. A strong finish in Tokyo would provide valuable ranking points and confidence as she targets another major international title.

Kujur finished second in the final behind South Africa's R. Mlenga, who won the race with a time of 10.03 seconds. Despite narrowly missing the top spot, the Indian sprinter's timing attracted significant attention as it improved his own record for the fastest 100m run by an Indian athlete outside the country.

The performance also places Kujur among the fastest Indian sprinters in history. His 10.14-second run is now the second-fastest legal time ever recorded by an Indian in the men's 100m event. Only Gurindervir Singh's national record of 10.09 seconds, set earlier this year at the Federation Cup in Ranchi, remains ahead of him.

Indian sprinting has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent months. During the Federation Cup in May, the national record changed hands multiple times within a span of 24 hours. Gurindervir Singh initially improved the mark with a run of 10.17 seconds, surpassing Kujur's previous best. Kujur responded almost immediately by clocking 10.15 seconds. The following day, Gurindervir raised the bar again with a record-breaking 10.09-second effort.

That sequence highlighted the growing competitiveness within Indian sprinting, a discipline that has historically struggled to match international standards. Kujur's latest achievement in Germany further strengthens the belief that Indian athletes are steadily narrowing the gap with global competitors.

The athlete from Chhattisgarh has been one of India's most consistent performers over the last two seasons. Known for his explosive starts and strong acceleration phase, he has steadily reduced his race timings through dedicated training and exposure to international competitions.

His latest performance comes at an important stage of the athletics calendar, with preparations underway for major multi-sport events. Kujur has already secured a place in India's squad for the 100m and 200m events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Following the competition in Germany, he is expected to join the Indian athletics team's training camp in Spala, Poland, before heading to Glasgow for the Games.

Athletics experts believe regular participation in high-level European meets is helping Indian sprinters gain valuable experience against stronger fields. Competing against international athletes not only improves race temperament but also exposes runners to faster conditions and higher competitive standards.

While Kujur's 10.14-second run did not break the national record, it underlined his growing consistency and ability to deliver on the international stage. The result also adds momentum to India's sprinting programme at a time when the country is seeking greater success in track events beyond its traditional strengths in field disciplines.

The world record in the men's 100m remains 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaican legend Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin. Although Indian sprinters still have ground to cover before reaching those levels, performances from athletes such as Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh suggest that the country's sprinting standards are moving in a positive direction.

With the Commonwealth Games approaching and several major international competitions on the horizon, Indian athletics will be watching closely to see whether Kujur can continue his rapid progression and challenge for even faster times in the months ahead.

Randhir Singh, who won India’s first-ever shooting gold at the Asian Games and later rose to become the first Indian President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), passed away on Wednesday. He was 79.

According to family members, Singh had been battling age-related health complications for some time. He had recently resigned from the OCA top post citing health reasons after being elected for a four-year term in 2024.

Trailblazer in Indian shooting

Singh etched his name in Indian sports history at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games when he clinched gold in the trap shooting event. This remained a landmark achievement for Indian shooting for years. He followed it up with a bronze medal at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and a silver in 1986.

A five-time Olympian, Singh represented the country at the Olympics between the 1970s and 1990s. He also competed in the 1978 Commonwealth Games. For his contributions, he was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1979.

Deep roots in sports and administration

Beyond the field, Singh played a significant role in sports governance. He served as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). His leadership extended to the continental level when he became the first Indian to head the Olympic Council of Asia.

Rajiv Bhatia, Secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “Randhir Singh was among the most respected personalities in sports administration. He made immense contributions to the development of shooting and the Olympic movement in the country,” Bhatia said.

Sporting family legacy

Singh hailed from a family with a rich sporting tradition. His uncle, Maharaja Yadvindra Singh, had played Test cricket for India and was also a member of the IOC. His father, Bhalindra Singh, was a first-class cricketer and served as an IOC member from 1947 to 1992.

The legacy continues in the next generation. Singh is survived by his wife Vinita and three daughters — Mahima, Sunaina, and Rajeshwari. Rajeshwari, a trap shooter herself, won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games. Sunaina has served as Vice President of the IOA.

Family members recalled how Singh remained closely involved in supporting his daughter’s shooting career. A photograph from 2022 showing Rajeshwari with her father after her Asian Games medal win had been widely shared.

Tributes pour in

News of his passing triggered condolences from across the Indian sporting fraternity. Many remembered him not just as a champion shooter but as a bridge between athletes and administrators during crucial phases of Indian sport’s growth.

His tenure at the OCA was seen as a significant milestone for Indian representation in Asian Olympic affairs. Though his health forced him to step down earlier than expected, his election itself was celebrated as recognition of India’s growing stature in Olympic governance.

End of an era

With Singh’s demise, Indian shooting loses one of its foundational figures who helped lay the groundwork for the sport’s later successes, including the medals won by later generations of shooters at global events.

As tributes continue to flow in, the focus now shifts to honouring his contributions through memorials and continued development of shooting infrastructure, an area he passionately advocated for throughout his career.

Singh’s journey from a medal-winning athlete in the 1970s to a key figure in Olympic administration spanning over four decades mirrors the evolution of Indian sport itself — from sporadic successes to structured institutional growth.