Indian sports wrap, September 16: TOPGUN set to train visually impaired in shooting

Having previously served as vice-captain, Pushpa Rana said she continues to rely on the guidance of senior players such as Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate to strengthen team bonding for India’s Asian Games campaign. | Photo Credit: IG/Pushpa Rana

KABADDI

Pushpa Rana: Time for this bunch to make its own history; reputation is motivation not pressure

As the Indian women’s Kabaddi team gears up to represent the country at the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, captain Pushpa Rana and Pooja Kajla believe the responsibility of defending India’s gold medal comes with confidence and motivation, with the team firmly setting its sights on the top spot.

Rana, who has been handed the responsibility of leading the 12-member squad, said the team has been preparing extensively by analysing opponents and working on areas of improvement identified by the coaching staff. “First of all, we practice according to the situation. We also analyse the videos of the upcoming matches. Our coaches also tell us about the shortcomings of the past and what needs to be improved. And now we are working on that. I think our team is well prepared,” said Rana.

Kabaddi has traditionally carried immense expectations at the Asian Games, with India having won 11 gold medals in the sport, including three in the women’s event. The Indian women’s team will look to defend the gold medal won in Hangzhou, where they edged Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final. The Indian women’s team also clinched the gold medal at the World Cup in November last year and Rana believes that expectation to win again is a source of confidence rather than pressure. “Yes, I feel that motivation. When our seniors have already done a good job, they have made their own history, so it is upto us to maintain that momentum. So, we see it as motivation, we don’t see it as pressure. We are also working hard to maintain that momentum,” she said.

Rana also highlighted the importance of experience within the squad as she takes on her first captaincy assignment. Having previously served as vice-captain, she said she continues to rely on the guidance of senior players such as Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate to strengthen team bonding. “I rely a lot on the seniors because they are already captains like Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate. So, their advice is very important to me,” said Rana. She also identified Chinese Taipei as one of the teams to watch, recalling the closely fought 26-25 final at the previous Asian Games.

For Arjuna awardee Pooja Kajla, the opportunity to win another Asian Games gold also carries the chance to inspire the next generation of women in sport. “First of all, it is very important to win gold at the Asian Games. Along with that, as we talk about the girls of the cricket World Cup, there are also juniors who are very inspired by the success of Indian women in sport. So, if we bring gold, then small children get inspired by us and they will also ask their parents to let them play,” said Kajla.

Kajla also credited the team’s preparation at the strength and conditioning camp, organised jointly by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) alongside Mashal Sports, the Organisers of Pro Kabaddi League, for helping the players build better habits around recovery and performance. “They gave us a few more classes on sleep and recovery. So, I got to learn a lot from there,” she said.

The Kabaddi contest at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will begin on September 21, with India’s women facing Bangladesh in their opening Group A fixture. They will then take on Iran on September 23 and Japan on September 24, before the semi-finals on September 25 and the gold medal match on September 26.

SHOOTING

TOPGUN set to train visually impaired in shooting

TOPGUN Shooting Academy is set to introduce shooting for visually impaired people across its branches in India, giving enthusiasts an opportunity to experience and participate in the sport.

The initiative will introduce Vision Impaired (VI) Shooting, a specialised discipline recognised by World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS).

In VI Shooting, athletes with visual impairments use sound-based technology to locate and aim at targets.

“Vision should not be a barrier to experiencing the discipline, focus and precision that shooting demands. Through this initiative, we want to make VI Shooting more accessible in India and give visually impaired people an opportunity to participate in the sport,” said former India shooter and TOPGUN founder Shimon Sharif.

The initiative will also seek to raise awareness about Vision Impaired Shooting and encourage more people with visual impairment to explore the sport.

-PTI

BADMINTON

Sarthak Joshi, Lyosha Korukonda triumph in National sub-junior ranking tournament

KOLKATA: Uttarakhand’s Sarthak Joshi and Telangana’s Lyosha Korukonda claimed two crowns apiece in the National sub-junior (under-13) ranking badminton tournament at the Star Badminton Academy here on Wednesday.

Joshi defeated Rehaan Dudekula 15-12, 15-10, while Lyosha beat Shanvi Reddy Nimma 15-10, 15-12 in the singles finals.

Lyosha Korukonda and Sarthak Joshi | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The results (finals):

Boys: Singles: Sarthak Joshi (Utk) bt Rehan Dudekula (AP) 15-12, 15-10; Doubles: Sarthak Joshi-Rehan Dudekula bt Lokesh Gurjar-Rakshit Singh Mehra (Raj) 16-14, 15-12.

Girls: Singles: Lyosha Korukonda (Tel) bt Shanvi Reddy Nimma (Tel) 15-10, 15-12; Doubles: Lyosha Korukonda-Shanvi Reddy Nimma bt Hazel Joshi-Divisha Singh (Mah) 16-14, 15-6.

OTHER SPORTS

Tamil Nadu Pickleball Premier League Season 2 from September 17-20

The pickleball fever is set to sweep Chennai as Cavin’s Tamil Nadu Pickleball Premier League (TNPPL) – Season 2 gets ready to serve up four days of fast-paced sporting action from September 17 to 20, 2026, at the Express Avenue Atrium, Chennai. Matches will begin from 8 AM each morning, bringing an early start to four action-packed days of competitive pickleball.

Following its official launch, Season 2 brings together 12 franchise teams representing the sporting spirit of Tamil Nadu, creating a vibrant platform where emerging talent, competitive energy and regional pride come together on one court.

The league features Chennai’s Tamizh Titans, Cuddalore Kings, Kanchi Blackbucks, Coimbatore Smashers, Ooty Bisons, Twin Eagles Hosur, Rockfort Terminatrz, Madurai All Stars, Salem Super Smashers, Ramnad Royals, Kodai Tigers and Nellai Superstars.

With teams representing cities and regions across the state, TNPPL Season 2 goes beyond the game to showcase the growing sporting communities around pickleball in Tamil Nadu. The league provides a platform for players to compete at a larger level while bringing fans and pickleball enthusiasts together under one roof.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta unveils Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Finisher’s Medal

The Delhi Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Race, on Wednesday launched the coveted Finisher’s Medal for its 21st edition.

The medal — an ultimate symbol of achievement for every runner- was unveiled by the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, at the Delhi Secretariat.

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, unveiled the Finisher's Medal crafted from Hindustan Zinc's historic Zawar Mines—following record-breaking demand that saw Half Marathon entries close in just 100 hours!#VDHM2026pic.twitter.com/aBpqOMUR5Z

— Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon (@DelhiHM_) September 16, 2026

The Delhi Half Marathon will be flagged off on Sunday, October 18, from the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, as thousands of runners from across India and around the world take to the streets of the capital with one goal in mind — to cross the finish line and earn their medal.

Over the last two decades, the event has become an integral part of Delhi’s sporting identity, bringing the city together in a celebration of fitness, participation and the spirit of running.

-PTI

GOLF

Khalin Joshi extends his lead at Nava Raipur Open

Khalin Joshi posted a bogey-free four-under 30 to extend his lead to two shots after the second round of the inaugural Rs 1 crore Nava Raipur Open being played at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort in Naya Raipur on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old Bengaluru golfer (29-30), who began the day with a one-shot advantage, made four birdies to move to nine-under 59 at the halfway stage.

Joshi, a two-time winner on the DP World PGTI this season and currently 12th in the Race to the DP World India Championship, has not dropped a shot over the opening 18 holes.

Heavy rain left the course unsuitable for full 18-hole rounds, prompting the tournament committee to stage each of the four rounds over the back nine.

Kolkata’s 20-year-old Aryav Shah (30-31) made four birdies and one bogey in a three-under 31 to share second place at seven-under 61 with Nepal’s Subash Tamang (32-29), Bengaluru’s Akshay Neranjen (30-31) and Panchkula’s RaunilKukar (31-30).

Tamang, 24, produced the joint lowest score of the second round, making five birdies in a bogey-free 29 to climb into contention.

Joshi began his round with a birdie after striking a hybrid from the tee and following it with a precise approach.

“It was another solid day,” Joshi said.

“I felt a little more tentative and less comfortable than yesterday, but continued to hit quality shots throughout the round. I’m pleased with the way I played.” The two consecutive bogey-free rounds have reflected the quality of Joshi’s ball-striking.

“My game has been solid from tee to green,” he said.

“I’ve also been hitting my approaches close to the flags, so I haven’t faced too many long birdie putts.” Joshi has made the most of the scoring opportunities on the 10th, 12th and 13th during both rounds.

Seven players shared sixth place at six-under 62. They are Chandigarh’s Umed Kumar (33-29), Kolkata’s Sunit Chowrasia (33-29), Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat (32-30), Sri Lanka’s Chalitha Pushpika (30-32), Chandigarh’s Vasu Sehgal (31-31), Noida’s Bipin Mukhiya (30-32), and Faridabad’s Karan Pratap Singh (32-30).

Chowrasia earned promotion to the DP World PGTI after winning three consecutive NexGen events and finishing atop the rankings, while Ahlawat was the 2024 DP World PGTI Rankings champion.

The cut fell at three-under 65, with 56 players from the field of 132 advancing to the final two rounds.