Rudransh Khandelwal

Shooter Samrat Rana and cricketer Smriti Mandhana were crowned Sportspersons of the Year at the TOISA 2025 awards in Lucknow. Javelin thrower Sumit Antil and archer Sheetal Devi also received top honours in the para category. The ceremony celebrated India's sporting achievements across numerous disciplines, recognising outstanding performances throughout 2025.

India's sporting elite converges in Lucknow for the Times of India Sports Awards, honouring a decade of excellence and the past year's achievements. The prestigious event, attended by legends and led by a distinguished jury, celebrates athletes across over 45 categories, including a significant focus on para-sports, recognizing outstanding performances and emerging talents who have made the nation proud.

The eighth Times of India Sports Awards will honor India's top athletes on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow. TOISA 2025 recognizes achievements from January 1 to December 31, 2025, across over 45 categories. The para shooting nominees showcase exceptional performances, including multiple medal wins and world rankings, highlighting their dedication and excellence on the global stage.

Star Indian para shooter Manish Narwal won a silver medal each in the men's 10m air pistol (SH1) individual and team events at the Para Shooting World Cup on Wednesday. Narwal shot 236.7 to finish behind Chao Yang of China (240.3), who claimed the top step on the podium while Korea's Jeongdu Jo of Korea settled for the bronze (214.7) in individual section. The World Champion para shooter then joined forces with rudransh khandelwal and Sanjeev Giri to fetch the silver in the P1 men's team 10m air pistol (SH1) event.

Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal have moved to the final round of the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Paralympics. Mona finished the qualification with 623.1 points in fifth place, and Avani with 625.8 points in second place. Despite initial challenges, both exhibited strong performances, with Mona excelling under pressure in the final series.

Manish Narwal clinched a silver medal in the men's 10m air pistol at the Paris Paralympics, overcoming past heartbreaks and personal tragedies, including losing his brother and grandfather.

Indian para-shooters rudransh khandelwal and Nihal Singh achieved outstanding success at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia.

Having lost his left leg in a freak mishap when he was just eight-years-old, the teenaged Bharatpur boy never let disability come in his way as he excelled in shooting sport to become the world No.1 in 50m pistol (SH1) and is now aiming for nothing less than a gold in his maiden Paralympics.

India's Sachin Sarjerao Khilari clinched a silver medal in the men's shot put F46 event at the Paralympics, setting an Asian record with a throw of 16.32m. Greg Stewart from Canada won gold, and Luka Bakovic from Croatia took bronze. This adds to Khilari's accolades, including his world title and previous Asian record.

Double Paralympic medallist shooter Singhraj Adhana will not be part of the Indian contingent for the Paris Paralympic Games due to changes in competition rules implemented by the International Paralympic Committee after the 2021 Tokyo edition. Despite securing silver in the mixed 50m pistol SH1 event and bronze in the 10m air pistol SH1 category, the 42-year-old Singhraj will not be able to participate.

A 10-member shooting contingent, including rifle exponent Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal and Narwal, will compete at the Chateauroux Centre near Paris from August 30. India had won two gold, a silver and two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.

16-year-old para-shooter rudransh khandelwal secured his second gold medal at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia in the P1 Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 category on the final day of the competition.

Armless archer Sheetal Devi continued her stunning form as she won a gold medal in the Open category of compound section at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in New Delhi on Saturday.

India's Mona Agarwal clinched her second medal in the ongoing Para Shooting World Cup, bagging a silver partnering Aadithya Giri in the Mixed Team Air Rifle Standing (SH1) event on Sunday. On a day when the hosts won two silver and two bronze medals, Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Manish Narwal and his partner Rubina Francis lost to China's Li Min and Yang Chao 12-16 in the Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol (SH1) gold-medal match.

India secured a total of 17 medals, which included three golds, bringing their overall count to 34 medals in the first two days of competition. The Indian contingent had previously earned 17 medals, including six golds, on Monday. India ended Day 2 placed fifth in the standings, one spot down from Monday, with nine gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze, behind China (165), Iran (47), Japan (45) and Uzbekistan (38). Prachi, who had secured a silver in the canoe VL2 category, added to her medal tally with a gold in the KL2 event.

At a dazzling event conducted in Lucknow on Friday, the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2023 honored the outstanding performances and accomplishments of Indian athletes in diverse fields. From momentous victories to the emergence of new talents, the ceremony highlighted the diverse and rich tapestry of the nation's sporting achievements. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning world champion in men's javelin throw, emerged as the night's big winner, clinching both the 'Sportsperson of the Year' and 'Athlete of the Year' awards

India's premier shooters, who etched their names in international history last year, are now contenders for the esteemed Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2023. These shooters, celebrated for their remarkable achievements, are primed to vie for top honours in the men's, women's, and para shooting divisions.

For the first time in a decade, no athlete will receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award for 2025. The selection panel has forwarded 24 names for the Arjuna award. Yogasana athlete Aarti Pal has been recommended for the Arjuna award. This marks the third instance since the award's inception that no recipient has been chosen.

In response to Manu Bhaker's pistol malfunction at the Tokyo Olympics, the Paralympic Committee of India has mandated that all 10 para shooters representing India in the Paris Paralympics carry spare firearms. Top shooters including Avani Lekhara and rudransh khandelwal are prepared with multiple weapons to ensure a seamless campaign.

Leading the way was star shooter Avani Lekhara, who clinched gold in the women's R2 10m air rifle standing SH1 category with a games record score of 249.6. The day's events were dominated by track and field, contributing 11 of the 17 medals, including five gold. The morning commenced with Indian athletes sweeping all three medals in the men's club throw F51 event, where Pranav Soorma took home the gold. Soorma shattered the Asian Para Games record with a throw of 30.01m.

Shooter Avani Lekhara clinched her second straight Paralympic gold in the women's 10m air rifle event, with compatriot Mona Agarwal winning bronze at the Paris Paralympics. Runner Preethi Pal achieved her personal best to earn a bronze medal in Women's 100m - T35. India's Day 2 schedule showcases a variety of para sports competitions.

India's top shooters, including Swapnil Kusale, Sarabjot Singh, and Manu Bhaker, are competing for the prestigious TOISA 2024 awards. These athletes achieved significant milestones, such as Olympic and World Cup medals, in 2024. The awards celebrate the excellence and spirit of athletes across various sporting categories, acknowledging their remarkable performances and contributions to Indian sports.

India will be sending its largest-ever team of 84 athletes to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This includes 32 women athletes participating in 12 sports, with para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo as new additions. The Indian team aims to excel following their best-ever performance at Tokyo 2020.