Indian-origin British chess player Bodhana Sivanandan has become the youngest female International Master (IM) at the age of 11, breaking a record held by Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar since 1988.   Bodhana achieved the milestone after defeating Sweden’s Woman International Master Viktoria Johansson at the European Women’s Chess Club Cup in Budva, Montenegro, on Friday. The victory secured her third and final IM norm and helped her cross the required 2,400 rating mark. She scored 5.5 points from 7 games while playing on the top board for her team, She Plays to Win Lionesses. Bodhana is now among the 10 youngest players to achieve the title. (PC: The Hindu)

Indian squash player Anahat Singh’s impressive campaign at the 2026 Silicon Valley Open ended with a semifinal defeat against Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in Redwood City, California. The 18-year-old Indian lost 5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 after winning the opening game. Sivasangari recovered strongly to win the next three games and secure her place in the final. Despite the loss, Anahat achieved a major milestone by reaching her maiden PSA Gold-level semifinal. Earlier, she defeated Egyptian stars Nour El Sherbini and Salma Hany, marking a significant breakthrough in her international squash career. (PC: PTI)

India added multiple gold medals at the Asian Para Games on Friday, with Harvinder Singh and debutant Vijay Sundi winning the men’s recurve doubles archery title by defeating China’s Yun Duo and Zhao Lixue 5-1. Nitesh Kumar beat compatriot Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the men’s singles SL3 badminton final, securing gold and leaving Bhagat with silver. Naveen Sivakumar also won men’s SL4 badminton gold after defeating Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan 21-9, 21-17. Sandeep claimed gold in the men’s 400m T64, setting a record of 52.28 seconds. India’s tally reached 25 gold, 32 silver and 42 bronze medals, according to Hindustan Times. (PC: AFP)

India swept gold, silver and bronze in the men’s combined F42-44/61-64 javelin event at the 2026 Asian Para Games on Friday. Two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil won gold with a throw of 72.46 metres, earning 1,112 points. Mahendra Gurjar secured silver with 59.03 metres and 1,066 points, while Sandip Sanjay Sargar claimed bronze with 64.48 metres and 1,006 points. Both Gurjar and Sargar established new Games Records in their respective categories. Gurjar finished ahead of Sargar on RAZA points, used to rank athletes in combined-class competitions. Antil, a world record holder, could not surpass his personal best of 74.82 metres, set in May. (PC: X)

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20 International against New Zealand after suffering a low-grade right adductor strain during the opening match. The BCCI confirmed that its medical team is monitoring his recovery. The second match is scheduled for October 24 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Kishan scored just one run in the series opener, which India won by four wickets while chasing 226 runs. His absence could provide young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an opportunity to enter the playing XI as India aim to extend their 1–0 series lead. (PC: ANI)

India’s medal tally crossed the 100-mark at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, highlighting the strong performance of the country’s para-athletes. Indian competitors delivered notable results across athletics, shooting, archery, badminton and other disciplines. The achievement reflects the athletes’ determination, preparation and competitive spirit on the continental stage. India entered the Games aiming to improve on its previous record of 111 medals at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China. The performances of experienced champions and emerging talents have strengthened India’s campaign and brought renewed attention to para-sports nationwide. (PC: X)

Indian squash player Anahat Singh registered the biggest victory of her professional career by defeating Egypt’s eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini at the Silicon Valley Open 2026 in Redwood City, California. The 18-year-old, ranked World No. 15, defeated the tournament’s top seed and World No. 3 in straight games, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in just 30 minutes. The victory secured her place in the women’s singles quarter-finals. Following her historic silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games, Anahat will next face Egypt’s Salma Hany for a place in the semi-finals. 

India’s Anahat Singh pulled off the biggest win of her career by defeating Egyptian squash star Nour El Sherbini in straight games at the PSA Gold Chicago Open on Thursday.   The 18-year-old, ranked world No. 15, beat the tournament’s top seed and world No. 3 player 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 to enter the quarter-finals. El Sherbini is an 8-time world champion and a player Anahat has admired since childhood.   Anahat controlled the match with disciplined play and followed her game plan. The victory adds to her growing achievements after winning silver at the 2026 Asian Games and the World Junior Championship title earlier this year.  (PC: NDTV)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Mohsin Naqvi, has declined permission for Pakistan’s over-50s team to participate in the International Masters Cricket World Cup scheduled in India in January 2027. Pakistan won the previous edition, held in Sri Lanka last year. Fawad Ijaz, head of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), said organisers had been informed of the withdrawal so an alternative team could be arranged. According to Ijaz, organisers and Indian authorities had assured the team of visas and high-level security. However, Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, reportedly told the association it could not travel to India. Pakistan’s hockey federation recently made a similar decision. (PC: AFP)

Suvarna Raj won gold in the women’s discus F54 event on Day 4 of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, delivering a strong start for India with a best throw of 15.66 metres. She defeated Iran’s Shahid Habibi by just 21 centimetres, taking India’s gold medal tally to 15. A wheelchair user, Suvarna has represented India at three Asian Para Games and competed internationally since 2017. Her recent achievements include discus gold and shot put silver at the Canberra Track Meet in January 2026, followed by bronze at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix. Beyond sport, she advocates accessibility and disability rights, having conducted over 1,000 accessibility audits nationwide. (PC: X)