Indian sports wrap, February 9: Atiqa Mir jumps 16 spots in WSK Round 2 finals

MOTORSPORTS

Atiqa Mir finishes 18th in second round of WSK Super Master Series

Indian racing sensation Atiqa Mir thrived in adversity as she jumped 16 places from the back of the grid to finish a creditable 16th in an action-packed Round 2 of the WSK Super Master Series held at the iconic Circuit di Napoli. However, a post-race penalty saw her drop to 18th in the final classification.

Atiqa, the first Indian to be supported by the F1 Academy, started a lowly 32nd in a field of 42 world-class drivers.

The 11-year-old, only in her second appearance in the junior category (age 12-14), showed speed and maturity beyond her age in qualifying to set the sixth fastest time in treacherous wet conditions.

What made her qualifying effort special was that this was her first time ever driving in wet conditions in the junior class, and that too on one of the toughest and fastest tracks in the world.

Speaking after an exhilarating weekend, Atiqa said: “That felt like a rush. I enjoyed the final and gave it everything. I wish I was starting higher so I could have mixed it up at the front.”

-PTI

BOXING

Inspire Institute of Sport, Neeraj Goyat launch India Knockout Nights

Neeraj Goyat, professional Indian boxer, and IIS president Manisha Malhotra (right) pose for a picture.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) officially unveiled India Knockout Nights (IKN) this week. It is being marketed as a new professional boxing platform designed to give the country’s boxers visibility, structure, and opportunities.

The launch brought together athletes, fans, and members of India’s growing combat sports community, all united by the shared belief of developing a bigger stage for boxing talent in the country.

Leading the moment was Neeraj Goyat, widely regarded as the face of Indian professional boxing. Known for carrying India’s presence onto global fight cards, Goyat now steps into a new role, helping create pathways for the next generation. He was joined by professional boxer Nishant Dev and Indian MMA star Anshul Jubli.

“I’ve lived the journey of an Indian professional boxer; I’ve seen the struggles, the uncertainty, and the lack of platforms. India Knockout Nights is something I deeply believe in because it gives fighters a fair shot. This is about building a platform where talent doesn’t get lost,” Goyat said.

-Team Sportstar

Published on Feb 09, 2026