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

Published on Oct 26, 2025