Former World Champion Nikhat Zareen produced a stellar performance as she defeated Worlds quarterfinalist Guo Yi Xuan with a resounding 5–0 victory, reaffirming her position as one of India’s top boxing talents.
The bout, featuring two strong counter-punchers, saw Nikhat take strategic control early on. She maintained long-range dominance, using her superior reach, timing, and footwork to neutralize the Chinese boxer throughout the match. Her precision striking and ring intelligence ensured Guo had little room to build momentum.
Speaking after her win, Nikhat expressed deep emotion about performing in front of Indian fans once again. “I am delighted to win in front of the home crowd after two years,” she said. The victory marks her first gold medal since the Elorda Cup in May 2023, making the moment even more significant for the Indian boxing star.
The win boosts India’s medal tally and reinforces Nikhat’s comeback to top form as she continues her quest for more international success.
India celebrated a moment of pride as Namrata Batra won the silver medal in the women’s 52 kg category at the 2025 World Games held in Chengdu, China. The talented athlete showcased exceptional skill, determination, and composure throughout the competition, battling through intense rounds to reach the final.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian sports, as Batra’s success adds another chapter to the country’s growing presence on the global sporting stage. The silver medal win not only brings glory to India but also inspires the next generation of athletes to dream big and push boundaries.
Her journey to the final was nothing short of remarkable, defeating top-ranked opponents with tactical brilliance and resilience. Though she narrowly missed the gold, her performance was met with applause and admiration from fans, fellow athletes, and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Namrata Batra’s silver medal will be remembered as a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and the unwavering spirit of Indian athletes.
Swimming into history, Indian star Srihari Nataraj delivered a sensational performance at the World University Games, clocking 49.46 seconds in the men’s 100m freestyle — breaking the longstanding national record held by Virdhawal Khade since 2008.
Khade’s record of 49.47 seconds, set at the Beijing Olympics, had stood unchallenged for over a decade. Srihari Nataraj, already a backstroke specialist and Olympian, proved his versatile brilliance by rewriting history in freestyle.
His performance at the World University Games not only set a new national benchmark but also showcased his evolution as a complete swimmer capable of dominating multiple events.
A Landmark for Indian Swimming
The timing of 49.46 seconds places Srihari among the fastest swimmers in Asia and reaffirms his position as India’s most promising aquatic talent. It’s a critical boost for Indian swimming on the global stage, especially as Paris 2024 draws near.
The Swimming Federation of India (SFI), fellow athletes, and fans have flooded social media with tributes and excitement. The performance also adds momentum to India’s swimming ecosystem, encouraging young athletes to aim higher.
A Word from the Camp
Sources from his training camp credited this result to months of focused preparation and improvements in technique and endurance. Srihari’s performance is seen as a key stepping stone in his pursuit of Olympic qualification in freestyle events alongside backstroke.
Looking Ahead
With his name now etched into Indian swimming history once again, Srihari Nataraj’s eyes are set firmly on the world stage. As he continues to break records and cross new milestones, his journey remains a beacon of inspiration for India’s sporting youth.
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Panaji, January 2025 – Margao-based Nihaal Borkar and Nishad Shevde made pickleball history in Goa, winning trebles in the state’s first pickleball state championship held recently at the BPS Club in Margao.
Nihaal won triple crowns by pairing up with Ruta Borker to defeat Ehrlick De Ataide and Natasha Viegas De Ataide in the 35+ mixed doubles category, which saw nine pairs in contention. Nihaal and Ruta lost the first set 10-12, before winning two sets on the trot, 11-7, 11-9, to win the title. Of the nine teams in the fray in the men’s 35+ doubles category, the summit clash was won by Akhil Lawande and Nihaal Borkar, who defeated Chinmay Kantak and Ehrlick De Ataide 11-6, 11-6. The 35+ men’s singles category saw 11 players in the fray, with Nihaal Borkar defeating Noel Noronha 11-6, 11-5 in two straight sets in the final.
Nishad Shevde, the other participant to win the treble, won the open men’s singles title, which saw the participation of 22 players. He defeated Cleon Barreto 11-9, 11-3 in the category’s final match. Nishad and Sweta Kantak also went on to win the finals of the open mixed doubles with a score of 11-5,10-12, 11-2. Twenty one teams participated in the men’s open doubles category, with the pairing of Nishad Shevde and Ehrlick De Ataide defeating their opponents 11-8, 11-3.
Goa’s tennis ace Simran Bundela won the ladies singles category based on cumulative points against her three opponents who had registered to participate in the segment. Simran won the title on the back of 33 points scored and losing six. The scores for the remaining participants were Tvisha Sardesai (26-13), Solania (14-26) and Sumangali (5-33).
The recently concluded three-day championship, the first such event in the state featuring the world’s fastest-growing paddle sport of pickleball, was organised at the BPS Club in association with the Goa Pickleball Association and All India Pickleball Association (AIPA). The debut edition of the championship, which featured 10 categories, witnessed a huge turnout with 123 players across genders and age groups registering to participate in the event. The winners of all 10 categories shared a winning purse of Rs.1 lakh approximately.
The men’s 50+ doubles category witnessed the participation of nine teams, culminating in a thrilling clash between Lincoln Furtado and Willy Jaques against Clarence Noronha and Noel Noronha, with Clarence and Noel winning the final match 11-3, 7-11, 11-8.
The men’s singles 50+ category saw seven players in the ring, with Noel Noronha defeating Willy Jacques 11-7, 11-6 in the final.
The open ladies doubles category saw four teams participate with Audrey Menezes and Melanie Chowgule emerging victorious and clinching the title.
