In a significant development for Indian athletics, Vishal TK of Tamil Nadu shattered the men's 400m national record on Thursday, clocking an impressive 45.12 seconds at the National Senior Interstate Athletics Championship. This marks Vishal's fifth sub-46s performance of the season, surpassing the previous record that had stood for six years. In the same championship, Pooja Olla, an Asian Championship silver medallist, secured the gold in the 1500m with a season's best time of 4:10.68, significantly boosting her chances for the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo. Khangembam Pilot also won a bronze medal in the men's 20000m race walk event at the 64th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championship.
On the international stage, India's archers made their mark at the World Youth Archery Championships in Winnipeg, Canada. The Indian women's U-18 recurve team, comprising Gatha Khadake, Jiana Kumar, and Sharvari Shende, clinched a bronze medal after defeating the USA 6-0 in their bronze medal match. The Indian contingent is also in contention for medals in four other team events, including three finals.
In a major decision for cricket, the Indian Sports Ministry has given the green light for the national team to participate against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. This decision resolves months of speculation regarding the highly anticipated clash, although the ministry reiterated its stance against bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan on each other's soil. The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to begin on September 9, with the India-Pakistan group-stage match set for September 14 in Dubai.
Looking ahead, Ahmedabad is set to become a prominent global sports hub, with the announcement that it will host three major international sports events in 2025. These events include the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship (August 24–30), the Asian Aquatics Championship (tentative September–October), and the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers (November 22–30). This move reinforces Gujarat's growing reputation as a multi-sport, high-performance destination.
Additionally, the Pro Kabaddi League announced a revamped, high-intensity format for its upcoming Season 12, aiming to enhance the spectator experience.