At 27, Padmanabh Singh has built a strong identity beyond his royal lineage. He is a professional polo player who has represented India at the international level. He also served as the captain of the Indian polo team, where he helped modernise the sport and make it more competitive globally.

Known for his aggressive playing style and leadership skills, Singh has played a key role in bringing wider attention to polo in India. His achievements earned him a place in the Forbes Under 30 Asia list in 2018. Recently, the American brand U.S. Polo named him its global brand ambassador, highlighting his influence among youth.

Padmanabh Singh completed his early education at Mayo College, Ajmer, and later studied at Millfield School in England. Apart from sports, he is known for his fashion sense and vintage car collection.

The Arjun Award, introduced in 1961, honours outstanding sportspersons for consistent performance. Awardees receive a bronze statue, a certificate, and a cash prize of up to ₹15 lakh. Padmanabh Singh’s nomination marks a significant moment for Indian polo.

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Abdul dominated the swimming pool with confidence and discipline. He clinched gold in the 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, and 50m freestyle events. He also added a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly. Each race reflected his intense preparation and mental strength under pressure.

The most emotional moment came during the medal ceremony. Abdul stood on the podium as the national anthem played. He later said tears rolled down his eyes with pride. He called it the greatest moment of his sporting life.

Sports Authority of India and the Paralympic Committee of India selected Abdul for the event. His performance justified their trust completely. Coaches and officials praised his consistency and focus.

After returning home, family members, coaches, and locals gave Abdul a grand welcome. Celebrations filled his training centre. Abdul now aims higher. He wants to win gold for India at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

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To honour their success, the IOA announced a special felicitation ceremony for all medal winners, coaches, and athletes who finished fourth. The association also declared cash rewards — ₹5 lakh for gold medallists, ₹3 lakh for silver, ₹2 lakh for bronze, and ₹50,000 for fourth-place finishers. Coaches of medal-winning athletes will receive ₹1 lakh each, while both boys’ and girls’ kabaddi teams will be awarded ₹10 lakh each for their stellar performances.

IOA President P.T. Usha praised the athletes, saying their achievements represent the “future of Indian sports.” She added that the IOA remains committed to nurturing young talent and providing all necessary support to sustain their growth.

The IOA also appreciated the contributions of National Sports Federations, coaches, and support staff. Officials said this record-breaking performance showcases India’s growing sports ecosystem and reflects the discipline, dedication, and hard work of its emerging youth athletes.

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Harmanpreet recalled, “Winning the gold in London was massive, especially defeating Great Britain on their turf. Listening to stories from our seniors about that day inspires me greatly as a player.” He has previously interacted with Balbir Singh Sr, a key member of the 1948 team, learning about their experiences and the roaring support of the British crowd.

At the 1948 Olympics, India defeated Austria, Argentina, Spain, and the Netherlands before winning against Great Britain. Harmanpreet emphasized that the team aims to reach higher at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hoping to hear the National Anthem played for India once again.

“Hockey and India share a rich history. Our goal is to win the ninth Olympic gold. With our seniors’ blessings, we will give our best on the field,” Harmanpreet said. Hockey India plans to share more stories from legends to celebrate the sport’s century-long contribution to the country.

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Constantini highlighted that the team trained in China for a month and gained valuable experience. “We finished fourth last year and earned a direct entry to the quarterfinals. A medal will depend on one crucial match,” he said. The coach added that strong teams like Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong will challenge India, but the squad is closing the gap.

He emphasized that performing well in the Asian Championship could reflect India’s global potential, including at the Olympics. “This young team has great energy and focus,” Constantini noted.

Praising Odisha’s sports infrastructure, he said the state has built a “citadel of sports.” He added, “Investing in sports means investing in the future. Odisha’s commitment will inspire athletes to perform better.” This is Odisha’s first time hosting an Asian-level table tennis event and marks another milestone for India’s sports capital.

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Thakkar said Team India is fully prepared and motivated. “Playing at home gives us an advantage. I’ve won bronze before, but this time I aim for silver or gold,” he said. The team hopes home support boosts their morale.

Thakkar praised Odisha’s sports facilities. He noted the massive indoor stadium, excellent accommodations, and the Sports Science Centre, calling it one of the largest sports campuses he has seen.

Currently ranked 39th in singles and 7th in doubles, Thakkar has won a bronze at the Asian Games and Asian Championships. He also secured gold at the Commonwealth Championship. He hopes to continue his winning streak at the Asian Table Tennis event.

The post Manav Thakkar Eyes Gold, Hopes Winning Streak Continues at Asian TT Championships appeared first on India Podcast.

According to WFI, the ban stops Sehrawat from taking part in any wrestling activities at both national and international levels. Singh said the coaching staff involved have received formal warnings. The wrestler was also given a week to submit his explanation before final action was taken.

The disciplinary committee reviewed Sehrawat’s explanation and found it inadequate. The report mentioned that he had joined the preparatory camp in Porec, Croatia, 18 days before his match on September 14. Officials said this was enough time for him to maintain his weight and fitness levels.

This is the third disciplinary case involving Indian wrestlers within a year. Earlier, Vinesh Phogat withdrew from the Paris Olympics, and Neha Sangwan faced disqualification at the 2025 Under-20 World Championships. The one-year ban could seriously affect Sehrawat’s chances at the 2026 Asian Games.

The post Aman Sehrawat Suspended for Weight Violation by WFI appeared first on India Podcast.

He is in Group A for the 19-person qualifying round, alongside athletes like Weber, Walcott, Vadlejch, and Sachin. Group B includes 18 athletes, such as Nadeem, Peters, Yego, Da Silva, Rohit, Yashvir, and Sri Lankan athlete Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

This is Neeraj’s fifth consecutive global championship where he has qualified with a single throw. His previous qualifications include the 2021 Olympics, 2022 Worlds, 2023 Worlds, and the 2024 Olympics.

Neeraj’s consistency and self-belief are evident in his ability to perform under pressure. He won a gold at the 2023 Budapest World Championships and a silver in Eugene in 2022. With his Olympic gold and strong global performance, Neeraj remains one of the top stars in athletics.

The post Neeraj Chopra Qualifies for 2025 World Athletics Championships Final with Stunning Throw appeared first on India Podcast.

AP Minister Nara Lokesh congratulated Sadia for her outstanding performance. He said she made the Indian flag fly high on the world stage and became a source of pride for Andhra Pradesh. Lokesh described her dedication as an inspiration for the youth, encouraging them to aim higher in sports and personal goals.

Lokesh assured that the government would extend complete support to Sadia in her sporting journey. He emphasized that her commitment and hard work deserve encouragement and recognition. He also expressed confidence that she would secure more medals in the future and bring further glory to the state and the nation.

Sadia’s success highlights the importance of sports in shaping young talent. Her achievement demonstrates how discipline, focus, and dedication can take Indian athletes to the global stage, motivating more youth to follow their dreams in competitive sports.

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Earlier in the championship, Elavenil Valarivan had already bagged a gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle event. Her consistency and precision throughout the competition showcased her growing reputation in the sport.

In another impressive achievement, Arjun Babuta, along with teammates Patil and Kiran, triumphed in the team event, securing yet another gold for India. These victories have contributed significantly to India’s success at the championship and further solidified the nation’s presence in the global shooting arena.

The achievements of Babuta and Valarivan are a testament to the skill and determination of Indian shooters. These triumphs reflect India’s rising dominance in competitive shooting sports and herald a bright future for Indian athletes on the global stage.

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