Indian sports wrap, October 26: India records best-ever show at Badminton Junior Championships
BADMINTON
Badminton Asia C’ships: Shaina, Diksha win gold as India finish with best ever medal haul
India recorded its best-ever showing at the Badminton Asia Under-17 & Under-15 Championships as Shaina Manimuthu and Diksha Sudhakar clinched gold medals in their respective categories on Sunday.
In the U-15 girls’ singles final, Shaina overcame Japan’s Chiharu Tomita 21-14, 22-20, while Diksha outclassed compatriot Lakshya Rajesh 21-16, 21-9 to take the U-17 girls’ singles crown.
With Sunday’s triumphs, the Indian contingent wrapped up the continental event with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals — its best-ever haul at the championships. The last time India secured two gold medals was in 2013 when Siril Verma won the U-15 boys’ singles title and Chirag Shetty and MR Arjun claimed the U-17 boys’ doubles crown.
On Sunday, Shaina became the fourth Indian girls singles player to clinch the U-15 crown as she dominated Tomita in the opening game and then staved off a late challenge in the second game to close out the match in 44 minutes.
Later, Diksha became the first Indian girls singles player to win the U-17 title, dominating the 27-minute all-Indian final.
Jagsher Singh Khanggura and mixed doubles combination of Jangjeet Singh Kajla and Jananika Ramesh had bagged bronze on Saturday.
– PTI
SQUASH
Anahat Singh advances in Canadian Open squash
Reigning women’s national champion Anahat Singh advanced to the round-of-16 at the Canadian Women’s Open squash, a USD 96,250 PSA Silver event in Toronto.
The Delhi teenager, ranked 43 in the world, defeated Swiss Cindy Merlo 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 in 17 minutes in the opening round and will next meet world No 20 and sixth seed Melissa Alves (French Guiana).
– Team Sportstar
RUGBY
India in semifinals of Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy
The Indian men’s rugby team has made it to the semifinals of the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy following an impressive opening day of the tournament.
After a fighting 14-10 win over Lebanon in the opener, India maintained momentum with a 26-5 victory against Afghanistan and went on to secure a commanding 21-7 win over Iran in the quarterfinal.
With three wins from three matches, India faces Saudi Arabia in the semifinal on Monday.
A win will not only send the team into the final but also seal a historic promotion to Division 1 – the Asia Rugby Sevens Series – for the first time ever.
– PTI
FOOTBALL
Punjab FC ropes in local goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh ahead of Super Cup
Punjab FC strengthened its goalkeeping department with the signing of experienced Indian custodian Arshdeep Singh on a one-year contract ahead of its AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 opener against Gokulam Kerala FC on Monday.
The 28-year-old from Mahilpur joins the club from Hyderabad FC (now Sporting Delhi), marking a homecoming for the former Minerva Punjab player who was part of its historic I-League-winning squad in the 2017-18 season.
A product of the AIFF Elite Academy, Arshdeep made his professional debut with Minerva Punjab before moving to the Indian Super League in 2019, turning out for Odisha FC, FC Goa, and Hyderabad over successive seasons. He has made over 50 ISL appearances to date.
Punjab FC technical director Nikolaos Topoliatis said the signing underlined the club’s commitment to local talent.
“Punjab FC is extremely proud to have signed Arshdeep, who will not only bolster our goalkeeping unit but also bring a key piece of homegrown talent into the system,” he stated in a release.
-PTI
GOLF
Bhullar registers first Top-10 of the year in Manila
Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar produced a steady three-under 69 on the final day to register a Top-10 finish at the USD 2 million International Series Philippines here on Sunday.
Bhullar (67-69-67-69), who stayed in the Top-10 this whole week, carded all four rounds under 70 for a total of 16-under. He finished Tied-seventh for his first Top-10 on the International Series in 2025. It was also his first top-10 outside India this year.
Among other Indians in fray, Karandeep Kochhar (72) at nine-under was T-36, Ajeetesh Sandhu (69) was eight-under for the week at T-40th.
SSP Chawrasia and Rayhan Thomas had missed the cut.
Miguel Tabuena, who was one of the three co-leaders after the third round, compiled a fine seven-under 65 to break out of the overnight lead group, which also had Sarit Suwannarut and Sampson Zheng.
Local hero Tabuena had an eagle and six birdies against one solitary bogey as he held off Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who also had a 65, which included four closing birdies.
Tabuena won comfortably by three shots as he kept the momentum with four birdies on the back nine.
Higa was tied for second with fellow Japanese Yosuke Asaji at (67) at 21-under. Sarit (69) and Zheng (69) were tied for fourth at 20-under, while Marc Leishman (65) was sixth at 19-under.
Bhullar was tied for seventh with Caleb Surrat (67) at 16-under.
Bhullar picked two birdies on the front nine at the third and the eighth hole and added a third on the tenth before dropping his first shot on the 11th. A late birdie on the 15th and three closing pars saw him finish a 69.
In six International Series starts this season, Bhullar made the cut in all six events.
-PTI
TENNIS
Karnataka’s Srishti Kiran clinches maiden international title at ITF J30 at Cabarete
Karnataka’s 13-year-old prodigy Srishti Kiran secured her first international junior title, winning the ITF J30 at Cabarete in the Dominican Republic on Saturday.
Srishti delivered a commanding performance to defeat the top seed, Stephanie Pumar of Venezuela, with a score of 6-2, 6-2, securing the championship in straight sets.
The victory capped an impressive campaign, in which she had earlier stunned second-seed Arina Vansovich of Russia 6-2, 6-3 in the pre-quarterfinals and advanced through the next two rounds in a similar fashion.
Reflecting on the tournament where she did not concede a single set, Srishti said, “Winning my first international title in Cabarete feels truly special. The decision to play was taken by my academy, RPS Academy, in Florida. The field was strong, with high-ranked others who had competed in major junior events, so every match was a challenge.”
She further added, “I’m proud that I stayed composed and enjoyed my tennis, which made the difference in the crucial moments, especially the upset against the second seed and obviously the final.
“Adapting to clay wasn’t easy, but I settled in quickly and gained a lot of confidence throughout the week. I am grateful to RPS Academy, Florida, and KSLTA for their constant support. This win is an important step, and I’m motivated to keep improving, climbing the rankings, and working towards my dream of competing in junior Grand Slams.”
Srishti’s triumph at Cabarete, Dominican Republic, is a significant milestone for Indian junior tennis. She will now continue her campaign in the Dominican Republic, competing in another ITF J30 event next week, as she looks to build on this momentum.
-Team Sportstar
POLO
India beats Argentina at International Polo Cup
Host India edged past Argentina 10-9 in the KogniVera International Polo Cup at the iconic Jaipur Polo Ground on Sunday.
India was led by Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur.
From precision strikes to strategic plays, the match embodied the very essence of international polo with passion, power, and partnership.
“Winning against Argentina is an incredible moment for all of us. Every player gave their best, and the energy from the stands pushed us even further. It’s a proud day for Indian polo,” India captain Simran Singh Shergill said.
-PTI
Published on Oct 26, 2025