Kenya’s John Korir and Sharon Lokedi win Boston Marathon on record-breaking day
John Korir of Kenya won the Boston Marathon in a record pace, finishing in 2 hours 1 minute 52 seconds, the fastest time in the race’s 130-year history. Sharon Lokedi, also from Kenya, captured the women’s title in a competitive field. Korir led from the 40-kilometre mark, finishing with a margin that surpassed Geoffrey Mutai’s 2011 course record by 70 seconds. He later said he did not check the clock until the finish, when Boston Athletic Association president Jack Fleming informed him of the record. Lokedi celebrated with teammates on Boylston Street.
Korir won in 2:01:52, fastest Boston Marathon time.
Lokedi won the women’s title.
Record beat Mutai’s 2011 course mark by 70 seconds.
Korir learned of the record from BAA president Fleming at the finish.
Lokedi celebrated on Boylston Street.
Abhishek Sharma sets IPL record with rapid IPL centuries
Abhishek Sharma delivered a historic IPL performance, scoring 135 not out off 47 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Delhi Capitals. The innings included 10 fours and 10 sixes, maintaining a strike rate above 200 and powering SRH to victory. Sharma’s century against Delhi Capitals is the fastest by an Indian to reach a hundred in the IPL against this opponent, and he became one of the few players to record multiple IPL centuries in under 50 balls. He had earlier struck a 40-ball century in IPL 2025. The performance underscored his consistency and high-impact batting in India’s premier T20 league.
135 not out off 47 balls vs Delhi Capitals
10 fours and 10 sixes in the innings
Strike rate above 200
Fastest IPL century against Delhi Capitals by an Indian
First Indian with multiple IPL centuries under 50 balls
Earlier 40-ball century in IPL 2025
Apr 22, 2026
IIT Madras Unveils OmegaBall, India’s First Three-Team Football Format
IIT Madras has introduced OmegaBall, a new three-team football format that marks the institute's first major entry into competitive team sports in India. The format invites three teams to play in a single match, emphasizing speed, passing and tactical coordination among rivals. The institute also proposed a national-level OmegaBall Club to promote and expand the sport across India. To mark the milestone, IIT Madras organized an inter-college OmegaBall tournament on 17 April 2026 on the campus football field with teams from Loyola College, Guru Nanak College, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, The New College, Saveetha University, YMCA College of Physical Education, and IIT Madras itself. This initiative highlights innovation beyond traditional academics.
OmegaBall is a three-team football format
IIT Madras launches India’s first OmegaBall Club plan
Inter-college tournament held on 17 April 2026
Participants included multiple Chennai institutions
Showcases innovation beyond traditional academics
ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 Opens in Cairo with Strong Indian Participation
The ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 began in Cairo, Egypt, kicking off the international shooting season for young athletes. The competition is hosted at the Egypt International Olympic City and runs across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. India has fielded a large 71-member contingent, including top junior shooters such as Anushka Thokur, Manyata Singh, Aneesha Sharma, Anvii Rathod, and Panaah Bhugra. The opening day features 25m pistol events for men and women, followed by skeet shotgun events with 75 targets. The Indian team combines experienced youth and rising talent, signaling strong future potential for India on the world stage. Support staff accompany the athletes.
ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 started in Cairo
India fields 71-member contingent
Opening day includes 25m pistol events
Skeet events feature 75 targets
Young Indian shooters cited as future prospects
India to Compete at 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya
India will compete at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, from 22 to 30 April 2026. The event gathers athletes across Asia in beach sports such as volleyball, athletics and swimming. Indian delegations are led by national teams across disciplines and include promising youth athletes. The Games offer a chance to build experience ahead of other multi-sport events and provide exposure for Indian sports programs. Participants will aim to win medals and gain ranking points, with events scheduled at multiple venues across Sanya. Success here could boost domestic sports funding and youth participation nationwide.
Dates: 22–30 April 2026
Location: Sanya, China
Events include beach volleyball, athletics, swimming
India fields youth and senior teams
Potential impact on funding and participation
Laureus World Sports Awards 2026: Alcaraz and Sabalenka Lead Winners in Madrid
The Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 were held in Madrid, Spain, recognizing the calendar year 2025 season. The ceremony gathered leading athletes and teams from around the world to celebrate sporting excellence. Tennis stars dominated the night, with Carlos Alcaraz named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after reclaiming the world number one ranking and winning multiple Grand Slam titles. Aryna Sabalenka took the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for her consistent top results, including a US Open victory. Paris Saint-Germain was named Team of the Year for their remarkable season, while Lando Norris was also recognized for his performances in motorsport. The awards highlighted achievements across sports.
Carlos Alcaraz named Sportsman of the Year
Aryna Sabalenka named Sportswoman of the Year
Paris Saint-Germain named Team of the Year
Event held in Madrid recognizing 2025 performances
Awards cover achievements across multiple sports
Apr 21, 2026
Basketball Legend Oscar Schmidt Dies at 68
Basketball legend Oscar Schmidt, a global icon known for his scoring prowess, died at age 68. His career stretched from 1974 to 2003, largely with Brazilian teams and European clubs. Schmidt represented Brazil in five consecutive Olympic Games from 1980 to 1996, and he is celebrated for his impact on international basketball despite never playing in the NBA. He later earned induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most influential figures. Schmidt’s contributions continue to inspire players and fans around the world.
Date of death: 68 years old (late 2020s summary).
Career span: 1974–2003;主要 with Brazil and Europe.
Olympic appearances: five editions (1980–1996).
Never joined the NBA, but Olympic and global impact notable.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductee; lasting global legacy.
Apr 20, 2026
ICC Launches Inaugural Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 in Rwanda
ICC has launched the Inaugural Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026, a five-nation tournament staged in Kigali, Rwanda. The event runs from 18 April to 2 May 2026, featuring Rwanda, Italy, Nepal, the United States, and Vanuatu. Matches are held at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium, offering rising teams valuable international exposure and competition. The format uses a double round-robin, with each team playing every other twice. The tournament marks a step forward for women’s cricket on the global stage, aligning with ICC’s development goals. Indian fans will watch closely as emerging squads gain experience, potentially shaping future selections.
Teams: Rwanda, Italy, Nepal, United States, Vanuatu.
Format: Double round-robin (each team vs others twice).
Significance: Developmental platform for women’s cricket.
Shubhankar Sharma Wins Inaugural Boulders Classic 2026 in Hyderabad
Shubhankar Sharma, the Indian golf star, made a triumphant return to domestic competition by winning the inaugural Boulders Classic 2026 in Hyderabad. The event, held at Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club, marked Sharma’s first domestic victory since December 2021. He dominated from the opening rounds, finishing with a three-day tally that showcased exceptional precision, composure, and consistency. Round scores highlighted a strong start and climactic finish, including a 64 in the third round and a robust seven-shot lead by day three. The win signals a promising comeback for Sharma and adds momentum to India’s burgeoning professional golf scene ahead of international events.
Significance: First domestic win since December 2021.
Performance: 64 in round three; seven-shot lead by day three.
Impact: Boosts momentum for India’s golf scene.
Apr 18, 2026
MCA announces domestic player contract system for cricketers
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled a structured domestic contract system to benefit cricketers outside the national team and Indian Premier League (IPL). Effective from the 2026–27 season, players will be categorized into Grade A, B, and C, with annual remuneration set between ₹8 lakh and ₹20 lakh depending on grade. The move mirrors the central BCCI contract model, aiming to provide financial stability and professional support at the domestic level. Eligibility criteria include registration with the association, fitness standards, no recent India representation, and mandatory recommendations from the selection committee. The policy seeks to professionalise domestic cricket in Mumbai and inspire long-term careers.
MCA launches three-tier domestic contract system (Grade A/B/C)
Annual pay ranges from ₹8 lakh to ₹20 lakh depending on grade
Targets non-India players and non-IPL players for stability
mirrors central BCCI contract framework
Eligibility requires MCA registration, fitness, and no recent India/IPL representation