Abhimanyu Mandwal wins gold in 70kg freestyle at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026
Abhimanyu Mandwal clinched gold in the 70 kg freestyle final at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, defeating Mongolia’s Tomor Ochiryn Tulga 5-3. Mandwal’s victory added to India’s medal tally and demonstrated consistent form in a competitive weight category. The final showcased Mandwal’s balance of offense and defense, contributing to India’s reputation as a rising force in Asian wrestling and opening doors for further international opportunities in the sport.
Gold: Abhimanyu Mandwal, 70 kg
Final score: 5-3 vs Tomor Ochiryn Tulga (Mongolia)
Context: strengthens India’s freestyle wrestling presence
Impact: supports selection for future global events
Location: Bishkek; Asian Wrestling Championships 2026
Sujeet Kalkal wins gold in 65kg category at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026
Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the 65 kg freestyle event at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, defeating top rivals en route to the title. His victory marks a historic 65 kg gold for India and reflects his technical skill and strategic aggression. Kalkal’s performance added to India’s growing success in wrestling on the continental stage and signaled potential for selection in major global events in the coming year.
Gold: Sujeet Kalkal, 65 kg
Final opponent: Umidjon Jalolov (Uzbekistan)
Significance: first 65 kg Indian gold since 2019
Context: part of India’s strong wrestling showing in Bishkek
Implication: potential for further international selection
Sujeet Kalkal and Abhimanyu Mandwal grab gold at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026
Indian wrestlers dominated the freestyle events at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 held in Bishkek. Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the 65 kg category, defeating Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov 8-1. He becomes the first Indian to win 65 kg gold since Bajrang Punia in 2019 and earned his third gold medal of the year. Abhimanyu Mandwal added another gold in the 70 kg final, defeating Mongolia’s Tomor Ochiryn Tulga 5-3. The two victories contributed to India’s strong medal tally as the team continued its good form on the continental stage.
65 kg gold: Sujeet Kalkal; final score 8-1 vs Umidjon Jalolov
First 65 kg Indian gold since Bajrang Punia (2019)
Mandwal gold: 70 kg; final score 5-3 vs Tomor Ochiryn Tulga
Event: Asian Wrestling Championships 2026; Bishkek
Impact: India strengthens its position in freestyle wrestling
Ayush Shetty earns silver at Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo
Ayush Shetty, 20, emerged as a rising Indian badminton talent by reaching the men’s singles final at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo. In a breakthrough run, he defeated several top-ranked players, including world No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7, en route to the final. In the title match, Shi Yuqi of China, world No. 2, dominated and won 21-8, 21-10 in 42 minutes. The straight-sets loss did not erase the significance of Shetty’s performance, which showcased speed, shot-making, and tactical variation. The result signals a new generation of Indian players entering the international badminton stage.
Final opponent: Shi Yuqi (China), world No. 2
Final score: 21-8, 21-10, duration 42 minutes
Shetty’s age: 20; notable run to the final
Path to final included wins over world No. 1, No. 4, and No. 7
Event location: Ningbo; Badminton Asia Championships 2026
Sinner stuns Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026; reclaims No. 1
Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Monte Carlo Masters 2026 in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-3. This victory marked his third ATP Masters 1000 title of the year and extended a 17-match winning run. With the win, Sinner reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking and joined a select group who have won four consecutive ATP Masters titles. The final showcased high-quality tennis, with Alcaraz pushing early; Sinner regained control and closed out in the second set to secure the title at one of the tour’s premier clay-court events.
Final score: 7-6(5), 6-3
Champion: Jannik Sinner; World No. 1
Opponent: Carlos Alcaraz
Cadence: third Masters 1000 title of 2026
Win streak: 17 matches
Apr 11, 2026
Brazil’s Laura Cardoso sets T20I bowling record with nine wickets
Brazil’s Laura Cardoso set a record in T20I cricket by taking nine wickets for four runs in three overs against Lesotho, the first instance of nine wickets in a single innings in T20I history. Cardoso’s extraordinary spell marked the first time any player—men or women—had claimed nine wickets in a single innings in the format. Her figures of 9/4 surpass the previous best of eight for seven by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey in 2025. The 21-year-old’s sensational performance highlighted Brazil’s rising stature in women’s cricket on the global stage and underscored the growth of the sport in new regions.
Laura Cardoso took 9/4 in three overs vs Lesotho.
First player to claim nine wickets in a T20I innings (men or women).
Surpasses Bhutan’s 8/7 record from 2025.
21-year-old’s performance signals growth of Brazil in women’s cricket.
Viewed as a historic milestone in T20I bowling records.
Apr 10, 2026
ITBP to host 25th All India Water Sports Cluster in Uttarakhand
The 25th All India Police Water Sports Cluster Championship will be held at Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand, beginning today and continuing until 12 April. Organised under the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the national event will see over 440 athletes from 19 police teams across India compete in 52 events, including canoeing, rowing and kayaking. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is slated to inaugurate the competition. Officials say all arrangements are complete. The championship aims to showcase sporting talent and also promote Tehri district as a tourism destination, potentially boosting local economy and hospitality demand during the event.
Event: 25th All India Police Water Sports Cluster Championship at Tehri Lake
Dates: Today to 12 April; inauguration by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
Participants: 440+ athletes from 19 police teams; 52 events
Apr 09, 2026
Blanka Vlašić named World 10K Bengaluru 2026 International Event Ambassador
Croatian athletics great Blanka Vlašić has been named International Event Ambassador for the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026, scheduled for 26 April 2026. The former high jump star, Olympic silver medallist (Beijing 2008) and bronze medallist (Rio 2016), joins the event to boost global attention and participation. Vlašić, renowned for a 2.08 metre personal best set in 2009, expressed pride in supporting a race that unites thousands of runners. Organisers hope her involvement inspires competitive spirit and broad media coverage. Bengaluru's World 10K has grown into a flagship Indian athletics event, drawing elite athletes and mass participation from across the country.
Blanka Vlašić appointed International Event Ambassador for World 10K Bengaluru 2026.
Event scheduled for 26 April 2026 in Bengaluru.
Vlašić is an Olympic silver and bronze medallist in high jump.
Her presence expected to boost global attention and participation.
Event is a major platform for Indian athletics.
Apr 08, 2026
Palak and Mukesh win ISSF World Cup Gold in Granada
India opened its ISSF World Cup campaign in Granada, Spain with a historic gold in the 10 metre air pistol mixed team event. Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli secured the top podium with a world junior record score of 487.7. They had earlier finished second in qualification with 581-17x, trailing the Chinese duo who led with 586-23x. In the final, Palak scored 243.0 and Mukesh 244.7 to clinch gold, while China took silver and Hungary bronze. The performance marks a strong start for India in the event, highlighting rising form in pistol shooting and junior record performance.
ISSF World Cup Granada: India gold in 10m air pistol mixed team
Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli world junior record 487.7
Qualification: 581-17x, second place behind China
Final score: Palak 243.0, Mukesh 244.7
China silver; Hungary bronze
Indicates rising form in Indian pistol shooting
Payal Nag becomes world’s first quadruple amputee archery champion
Payal Nag, 18, from Odisha, has become the world’s first quadruple amputee to win an international archery gold medal. Competing at the World Para Archery Series Final in Bangkok, she defeated reigning world champion Sheetal Devi in the final with a score of 139-136. Nag also led qualification rounds with a tally of 581-17x, underscoring her precision and composure. Born to a daily wage labourer, her life changed after an electrocution accident at age eight. Her breakthrough story has inspired many in India and around the world, highlighting resilience, adaptive sport access, and the potential of para-athletes to redefine records.
18-year-old Payal Nag from Odisha
Wins world’s first quadruple amputee international archery gold