Indian sports wrap, January 4: Tamil Nadu clinches overall championship at Karate Nationals

MARTIAL ARTS

Tamil Nadu wins overall championship at karate nationals

The Tamil Nadu State team bagged 95 medals to win the overall championship at the National Karate Federation (NKF) National Karate Championship, held on December 29 and 30, 2025, at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

The tournament witnessed participation from 28 States and two Union Territories, with over 1,200 students competing across various categories, making it one of the largest national-level karate events in the country.

The Tamil Nadu team achieved an exceptional medal haul across all categories:

– Individual Kata: 10 Gold, 10 Silver, 16 Bronze

– Individual Kumite (Fighting): 9 Gold, 16 Silver, 24 Bronze

– Group Kata: 8 Gold, 2 Silver

– Team Sportstar

TABLE TENNIS

WTT Youth Contender 2026: Syndrela Das, Divyanshi Bhowmick start U-19 group stage with convincing wins

Defending champion Syndrela Das, top seed Divyanshi Bhowmick and Japan’s Miku Matsushima began their girls U-19 singles campaign with impressive wins in their respective groups in the WTT Youth Contender 2026 at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara on Sunday.

Syndrela, who clinch the U-17 title on Saturday, defeated Archismita Mahato 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 in group 3 while Divyanshi defeated Shrestha Kontham 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 in Group 1.

In Group 2, Miku began with a 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 win over Gunjan Kumar. The top seeds in boys U-19 were also assured of a spot in the knockout out stage as they registered two wins each in their respective groups.

The U-15 top seeds also advanced to the knockout stage with comfortable wins in their groups.

– Team Sportstar

EQUESTRIAN

Mumbai’s Stasya Pandya wins silver at Junior National Equestrian Championship

Young equestrian talent Stasya Pandya of Mumbai delivered a commendable performance at the Junior National Equestrian Championship (JNEC), clinching a silver medal in the Dressage Team Event (Children 1 category) in Mumbai.

Competing astride Kirrhi Taonga from Surge Stables, Bengaluru, she scored 67.463 and played a key role in her team’s podium finish.

Stasya trains and rides at the Amateur Riders Club here under the mentorship of coach Bobin Tshering.

The silver-winning team delivered a collective performance with Haripriya Singh astride Fritz scoring 71.243 and Amara Singh astride Count Me In D’ Grading scoring 68.581, both representing Sea Horse Equestrian, Gujarat.

Dev Harish Kapoor, riding Serrano from Modi Equestrian, Meerut, added 65.934 to the tally. The team secured the silver medal with a total score of 207.287.

– PTI

MOTORSPORT

Sanjay Takale Wins H3 Class at Dakar Rally 2026 Prologue

Indian motorsport achieved a historic moment at the Dakar Rally 2026 as Sanjay Takale delivered a standout performance in the Prologue Stage, finishing 1st in the high average speed Group H3 and 35th overall in the Cars category.

The Prologue, which determines the starting order and does not count toward overall standings, saw Sanjay Takale dominate the Dakar Classic Group H3, making him the first ever Indian to stand on the Dakar podium in the Cars category on Day 1.

Driving Car No. 722, Sanjay guided his Toyota HDJ 100 across the 22 km Special Stage and 74 km Liaison (total 96 km), finishing ahead of experienced international competitors.

José Sole and Sergio Cerezo (Spain) secured second place in the H3 class in a Mitsubishi Montero, followed by Raúl Ortiz (Spain) in third, driving a Toyota RAV4.

Dakar Rally 2026 marks Sanjay Takale’s second attempt at the world’s toughest rally, reflecting his growing experience and competitive edge.

Following his Prologue win, Sanjay Takale will open the road for Stage 1 from Yanbu to Yanbu, featuring a 305 km Special Stage with demanding navigation and dune sections.

Widely regarded as the ultimate test of endurance, the Dakar Rally continues to push limits and Sanjay Takale has firmly announced his arrival on the global rally stage.

Race Highlights – Prologue Stage (Day 1):

• 1st – H3 Class: Sanjay Takale (India), Toyota HDJ 100

• 2nd – H3 Class: José Sole / Sergio Cerezo (Spain), Mitsubishi Montero

• 3rd – H3 Class: Raúl Ortiz (Spain), Toyota RAV4

• Overall Position: 35th (Cars Category)

• Total Distance: 96 km (22 km Special | 74 km Liaison)

– Team Sportstar

Published on Jan 04, 2026