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SPORTS - January 2026

Jan 2026

May 19, 2026

Elina Svitolina Wins Italian Open Women’s Title

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2 to win the Italian Open women’s title on 17 May 2026. Svitolina had earlier defeated Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek to reach the final. Gauff forced a deciding set after winning the second-set tiebreak, but Svitolina sealed victory with a late surge. In the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud advanced to the final later that day. The win adds to Svitolina’s strong clay-court season and reshapes the women’s tour heading toward Roland Garros.

Final date: 17 May 2026
Opponent in final: Coco Gauff
Earlier wins: Rybakina and Swiatek
Men’s final: Sinner vs Ruud scheduled
Surface: clay (Italian Open)

British Golfer Aaron Rai Wins PGA Championship; First English Winner Since 1919

British golfer Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on 17 May 2026. He finished with a five-under final round and nine-under for the tournament, marking a historic major title. Rai is noted for his Indian-Kenyan heritage through his wife Gaurika Bishnoi, an Indian professional golfer. This victory ended a long wait since 1919 for an English winner of the PGA Championship and follows his momentum from recent Masters-related events. Rai spoke about family support and embracing the moment as he secured his first major title in a career spanning several years of hard work.

Victory date: 17 May 2026
Event: PGA Championship, Aronimink
Final score: five-under in final round; nine-under total
Records: first English PGA Championship winner since 1919
Personal note: wife Gaurika Bishnoi is a pro golfer from India

May 17, 2026

Sahdev Yadav Elected President of SAWF

Sahdev Yadav has been elected President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation (SAWF). He was elected unopposed during SAWF elections and currently heads the Indian Weightlifting Federation. The appointment signals India’s growing leadership in South Asia sports governance and aims to boost regional cooperation. Yadav also serves as Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association, Vice President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, and Assistant to the President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation. Supporters expect him to drive development programs, talent identification, and international collaborations across the region, strengthening weightlifting infrastructure and competition pipelines in South Asia.

Sahdev Yadav elected SAWF President unopposed.
He currently heads the Indian Weightlifting Federation.
Yadav also holds roles with IOA, CWF, and AWF.
Role to advance regional cooperation and development programs.
Aims to strengthen weightlifting ecosystems in South Asia.

May 16, 2026

Sahdev Yadav elected SAWF President in May 2026

Sahdev Yadav was elected President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation at an Ahmedabad meeting on 14–15 May 2026, in a unanimous ballot. He already heads the Indian Weightlifting Federation and serves as Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association; he also holds roles with the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation and the Asian Weightlifting Federation. Analysts view his election as a strategic move to strengthen India’s leadership in regional sports governance and to promote greater collaboration among South Asian nations. The decision marks a notable milestone for India in regional sports administration.

Election date: 14–15 May 2026; result: unanimous.
Position: SAWF President; also IWLF President and IOA Treasurer.
Other roles: Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, AWF leadership roles.
Impact: Strengthens India’s regional sports governance.
Context: Part of broader Indian influence in South Asian sports.

May 14, 2026

Nitin Menon remains only Indian on ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for 2026-27

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on 12 May 2026 that Nitin Menon remains the only Indian official on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for the 2026-27 international season. The ICC retained the existing Elite Panel after a routine review by the Umpire Selection Panel. Menon joined the Elite Panel in 2020 and has officiated across formats in high-pressure environments. Javagal Srinath also retained his position as the lone Indian on the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta praised consistency and high standards in officiating in the accompanying release.

Nitin Menon remains the sole Indian on the Elite Panel of Umpires (2026-27).
Panel retained after Umpire Selection Panel review.
Menon joined the Elite Panel in 2020.
Javagal Srinath remains the lone Indian on the Elite Panel of Match Referees.
ICC cites consistency and high standards.

Frederic Soyez appointed Hockey India Junior men’s chief coach

Hockey India named Frederic Soyez, a French coach, as the Junior men’s chief coach, succeeding P. R. Sreejesh whose tenure ended after 17 months following the expiry of his contract. Soyez, 48, previously served as High Performance Director for France Hockey. He earned 196 caps for France and scored 195 goals, and has coached France and Spain across three Olympics (Spain 2016 and 2020; France 2024). He was involved with France’s silver at the 2013 Junior World Cup and bronze in 2021. His appointment comes after India’s bronze at the recent Junior World Cup, reflecting Hockey India’s focus on youth development and high performance.

New coach: Frederic Soyez named Junior men’s chief coach.
Predecessor: Sreejesh’s tenure ended after contract expiry.
Experience: Former High Performance Director for France Hockey; 196 France caps, 195 goals.
Olympic history: Coached France and Spain in three Olympics (2016, 2020, 2024).
Achievements: Involved in France’s 2013 Junior World Cup silver and 2021 bronze.

May 13, 2026

India to Host 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar

The 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 13 to 17 May 2026, marking India’s first host nation participation in 44 years. About 180 athletes from 28 countries are expected, with India, China, and Sri Lanka fielding the largest squads (16 lifters each). Chinese Taipei will send 15 competitors. India's team includes Bindyarani Devi, Ajith Narayana, Nirupama Devi, Lovepreet Singh, and Bedabarat Bharali. Olympic silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu will miss the event due to injury. The championships also serve as a key qualifier for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Event dates: 13–17 May 2026 in Gandhinagar
Approximately 180 athletes from 28 countries
India, China, Sri Lanka have the largest squads (16 each)
Mirabai Chanu out due to injury
Serves as qualifier for Commonwealth and Asian Games

Rahul Dravid named owner of Dublin Guardians in ETPL

Cricket legend Rahul Dravid was announced on 12 May 2026 as the owner of the Dublin Guardians, the Dublin franchise in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The ETPL is ICC-sanctioned and designed as a multi-country league spanning Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, with six city-based franchises: Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Dravid leads an Indian consortium to operate the Dublin franchise, as the league plans its 2026 launch and a season running through August and September. This marks Dravid’s first major foray into franchise ownership and aligns with ETPL’s goal of expanding cricket in Europe and creating development pathways. ([etplofficial.com](https://www.etplofficial.com/news/dublin-has-dravid-rahul-dravid-announced-as-owner-of-dublin-guardians?utm_source=openai))

Owner announced: Rahul Dravid for Dublin Guardians
League: European T20 Premier League (ETPL), ICC‑sanctioned
Six teams across Europe: Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, Amsterdam
Launch window: 2026 with matches in August–September
Significance: Dravid’s first major franchise ownership venture

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