VIDEO | India's Suvarna Raj said winning gold in the women's F54 discus throw at the Asian Para Games was extremely important to her, after she clinched the title with a best effort of 15.66 metres on Thursday. "This medal means a lot to me because I went empty-handed in three previous Asian Games. This is my fourth Asian Games, but yes, I am taking a gold straight back to India. This medal is extremely important to me," Suvarna told PTI. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Spain's Eugenio Chacarra proved that winning does not always require one's best golf, taming the tricky Delhi Golf Club layout to clinch the DP World India Championship by two shots and strengthen his challenge for the Race to Dubai crown. The 26-year-old finished at 21-under 267, with New Zealand's Daniel Hillier second at 19-under, after an exhausting final day in which players had to negotiate a backlog of holes caused by weather disruptions earlier in the week. Chacarra's triumph was built on course management, precise wedge play and putting rather than sheer power, underlining his growing maturity as he pursues the season-long Race to Dubai title against established stars Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy. "Sometimes you have to win with your B-game. You cannot always play your A-game… I managed the course and the pressure well enough to get the job done," he said. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Rachana Bahadur, advisor to the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), has called for greater participation of women in golf, describing the sport as a potential equaliser while expressing confidence that increased exposure to international competition will help Indian professionals make their mark globally. Bahadur, who attended the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club, said the presence of leading international golfers and young spectators reflected the growing appeal of the sport in India. She also welcomed the growing scale of the tournament, saying the international flavour it brings to the country is encouraging for Indian golf. "It has been absolutely incredible to be here and watch the players. I feel incredibly proud that I'm actually at DGC, in our country, in India, watching top golf. I feel really happy to see a lot of young kids here, cheering on the top players. To see this international flavour coming into India makes me very proud and very happy. I just hope the numbers keep increasing," she said. She said, "The beauty about such tournaments is that our international players get a chance to see how much golf is loved in this country. We love cricket, but we love golf, too. For our Indian pros to get exposure to great players, play with them and spend time with them, all of this, the more we do, the more we're going to come on the global scale. I have no doubt in my mind." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Ranchi, Jharkhand: From a school bus driver's son to India's nets, Rajandeep dreams of following Dhoni, Ishan. While India's star-studded top order was sending balls flying into the stands at the JSCA Stadium here on Thursday, another Jharkhand cricketer quietly made the most of his moment in the nets during their practice on the eve of the second T20I in Ranchi. From a distance, 24-year-old Rajandeep Singh looked like Arshdeep Singh, but a closer look revealed another Jharkhand fast-bowling prospect making his mark. With Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi taking turns at the nets, Rajandeep bowled with confidence and discipline, occasionally beating the bat and drawing edges and miscued shots and also earning praise from them. For a youngster from Jharkhand who once came close to giving up cricket because of financial difficulties, sharing the nets with India's leading T20 batters was a moment to cherish. "I received an opportunity to bowl to the senior players. I realised what I could do better and what are the crucial things I need to work on. I also understood that I can't bowl too loose. It was a good feeling to bowl today," he said. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Asha Ilango produced a stunning comeback from injury to shatter the 11-year-old meet record in the women's triple jump at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships here on Wednesday, saying the performance helped ease the pain of losing an Asian Games medal by just one centimetre. Asha leapt 13.89m in her fourth attempt to better Mayookha Johny's previous meet record of 13.78m, set at the 2015 edition in Kolkata. The performance capped a remarkable turnaround for Asha, who had endured a difficult last season with an ankle fracture and had even contemplated walking away from the sport. "I feel so good. I lost my Asian Games medal by one centimetre, so now I feel better. I had thought I could set a new national record of 14.01m, but I couldn't do it today. I will definitely do it next season," Asha told PTI. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Indian contingent Chef de Mission Rahul Swami on Thursday said there was no scope for making changes to the squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games as entries could no longer be submitted, asserting that the court had not provided any relief to athletes protesting against the selection policy. Several para-shooters had staged a protest outside the venue of the send-off ceremony on Thursday, questioning their exclusion from the Indian contingent and alleging irregularities in the selection process. “Everybody has the right to protest. They have gone to the courts. As you would have seen, the courts have not given them any relief. So it is their right, but I do not know what the purpose of protesting is because, right now, nobody can even send the entries. The Games are going to start and the entries cannot even be sent now,” Swami said. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the Para Asian Games Send-Off Ceremony says, "Today is a moment of pride for us. Our para-athletes are participating in the Asian Games in Japan. Para-athletes are those young people who have already won the battle of life. It is not a small thing to challenge circumstances and move forward. Earning your family's trust when society doubts whether you can succeed requires immense strength. You strengthen your belief, accept every challenge, move forward, set a goal, choose a sport, achieve success at the national level, and then participate in international competitions. You have already won the journey of life. Now, you also have to conquer the journey of medals. I welcome you all. I have complete faith in you. Devendra (Jhajharia) ji told me that we started with 33 medals; in the last Asian Games, we won 111 medals. We have made sure all the athletes receive all the benefits and support." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat on Thursday said being chosen as one of India's flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games was a “very big thing” for him after overcoming a difficult phase in his life. Bhagat, who will lead the Indian contingent along with para table tennis player Bhavina Patel at the opening ceremony on October 18, said he was grateful to the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for recognising his journey and giving him the honour. “Definitely, there are ups and downs in life. I have gone through a tough time in my life. But finally, it is said that after sorrow comes happiness. My hurdles have been overcome. And finally, I have been made a flag bearer, which is a very big thing in itself,” Bhagat said after the send-off ceremony of the Indian contingent in New Delhi. “I would like to thank PCI. They understood me in this way and gave me the position of flag bearer. I am very happy about this because this is my fifth Asian Games. In four Asian Games, I saw my teammates playing and going as flag bearers. But finally, I got it,” he added. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia unveil the jersey at the send-off ceremony for the Indian contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, scheduled to be held in Japan from October 18 to 24. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia on Thursday asserted that the Indian contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games was selected transparently and strictly in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, as several para-shooters staged a protest outside the venue of the send-off ceremony alleging irregularities in the selection process. “Whether it is athletics, cycling, swimming or shooting, we have ensured that all the selection criteria have been met. We have followed the guidelines laid down by the Ministry. The athlete has always been and will always remain our top priority, and transparency has been maintained in every selection,” Jhajharia said. “We have maintained transparency in every selection. Every selection is made according to the prescribed guidelines. There is a defined line, and the selection has been done according to that line. Someone may have a problem with the criteria, but nobody can move beyond those guidelines,” he added. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Amid high drama at the send-off ceremony for India's Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games contingent on Thursday, with para-shooters staging a protest over their exclusion and alleging irregularities in the selection process, PCI head coach Satyanarayana ruled out any change to the squad and insisted that all selections had been made on merit. “There will be no change. I don’t know why they are doing this. All the selections have been made based on merit. [Rudransh] is going ahead based on merit and, as a sportsperson, I will not lie to you about this,” Satyanarayana said. “There was a quota which was slashed, and that’s why we had to cut down on the contingent. The entries have been closed now, so no changes will be made,” he added. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: High drama unfolded on Thursday at the send-off ceremony for the Indian contingent headed to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, with several para-shooters staging a protest outside the venue and alleging corruption and manipulation in the selection process. The protesters were met by senior Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) officials, including its president Devendra Jhajharia, who tried to persuade the protesters to call off the protest. However, the protesters continued their demonstration, raising slogans before stating their grievances. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: High drama unfolded on Thursday at the send-off ceremony for the Indian contingent headed to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, with several para-shooters staging a protest outside the venue and alleging corruption and manipulation in the selection process. Among those leading the protest were para-shooters Sandeep Kumar and Akash, who questioned their exclusion from the contingent despite their rankings and performances. Sandeep is ranked third in Asia, while Akash is the top-ranked shooter in the continent. They also questioned the inclusion of Rudransh Khandelwal, who they said is ranked 14th in Asia. Akash alleged that his credentials were overlooked because he had not mentioned shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal as his coach. "That is why he cut my name. I have been here for two months. He keeps saying that we are doing your work. Every day, he says that we are doing your work, but he is not doing anything," Akash alleged. Sandeep, a P4 50m free pistol SH1 shooter, said he did not receive any assurance from Jhajharia despite showing documents supporting his case. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Asian Games gold medallist Lovlina Borgohain said the tough phase following her early exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics taught her to live in the present and not have too many expectations in life. The Tokyo Olympics bronze-medallist had earlier revealed that she had contemplated quitting boxing after missing out on a medal at the biggest sporting event in the world. Post Paris, Lovlina took a year-long break before returning to the international circuit with renewed determination. But her comeback did not immediately go to plan, with the Indian making a second-round exit at last year's World Championships before skipping the World Boxing Cup Final. "I feel that one thing I learnt during this time is that I should live in the present. I should not have too many expectations in my life. We should enjoy the moment we are living in. I feel that is the biggest lesson for me," she told PTI in an exclusive interview on Sunday. "I have not kept too many expectations after that. Even now, I have a goal in my mind, because having a goal is important. But sometimes, even after putting in your complete effort, the result may not come," she added. #AsianGames #LovlinaBorgohain

VIDEO | Delhi: Indian women's boxing head coach Santiago Nieva says, "It feels great to come back to India and receive all the love and support after a very hectic competition. It was a very tough Asian Games because Asia is the strongest continent in boxing at the moment, so we had to be at our best in every single bout and could not afford any lapses. We had three boxers in the finals, all facing very tough opponents, and to come through in all three was amazing. Having experienced boxers like Lovlina in the camp is a great source of inspiration for everyone, as she is a great role model who continues to work hard and win medals. Our immediate focus is now the World Championships in April. The boxers who won medals here are already qualified, while the others will have to compete there for qualification. We will have four Olympic qualifiers over the course of a year, and hopefully we can secure as many quotas as possible early, which will give us more time and peace of mind to prepare for the Olympics." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Asian Games Gold Medallist and Indian Boxer, Lovlina Borgohain leaves from IGI Airport. (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh says, "I am extremely proud. To be number one in Asia, ahead of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China, all major boxing nations, is a phenomenal achievement. It comes on the back of a series of strong performances. India finished third in the World Championships in Liverpool last year, second in the Asian Championships, topped the Commonwealth Games and have now finished number one at the Asian Games. The team is doing extremely well and there is a great deal of confidence in our boxers. Now we just have to prepare for the Olympics." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Asian Games gold medallist and Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain says, "After the 2024 Olympics, it was a very difficult phase for me. When you struggle for a goal, sacrifice everything and still do not get the result you want, it can be mentally very tough. Coming back and continuing was difficult, but I kept faith in myself. I also had the support of the BFI, SAI, the government and everyone around me who wanted me to continue. I won silver at the Commonwealth Games but was not fully satisfied, so this time I wanted to change the colour of my medal, and I am very happy that I could do that. I have also become much stronger and more mature mentally. Earlier, I was very emotional and took many things to heart, but now I understand things better. Technically and mentally, my approach to the game has also changed. We are very confident about the team, and with the way Indian boxers have performed at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, I believe we can aim for two or three gold medals at the Olympics." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)

VIDEO | Delhi: Asian Games gold medallist and Indian boxer Ankush Panghal says, "It feels really good to finally return home with a gold medal. My family is here, and we will celebrate together. I have also come back with some important lessons from the competition, which will be useful for me going forward, especially in the qualification process. Over the past year, I have been consistently winning medals at World Championships and World Cups, and now this Asian Games gold feels like another important step towards the Olympics. Our coaches analyse the bouts at camp, identify our mistakes and work with us on the areas that need improvement. I will take a short break at home and then return to camp on October 20." (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)