Times of India Sports Awards 2025 Celebrates India's Sporting Excellence in Lucknow
The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 unfolded in grand style on Saturday at The Centrum in Lucknow, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presiding over a glittering ceremony to honor India's top athletes. The event spotlighted the nation's remarkable achievements across more than 45 sporting categories, recognizing performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Top Honors for Rana and Mandhana
In a highlight of the evening, shooter Samrat Rana and cricketer Smriti Mandhana were awarded the prestigious 'Sportsperson of the Year' titles. Their victories underscore exceptional contributions to their respective fields, with Rana excelling in shooting and Mandhana making waves in cricket.
Para-Athletes Shine Bright
The para-sports category witnessed javelin thrower Sumit Antil and archer Sheetal Devi being honored as 'Para Sportsperson of the Year'. Their achievements reflect the growing prominence and success of para-athletes on the global stage.
Team and Coaching Accolades
Two women's cricket teams received the 'Team of the Year' award for their triumphs in the ICC ODI World Cup and the Blind Women's T20 World Cup in 2025. Amol Muzumdar was named Coach of the Year for guiding the women's cricket team to their maiden ICC ODI World Cup title, while Subhash Rana bagged the Para Coach of the Year award for mentoring pistol shooter Samrat Rana.
Emerging Talent and Other Winners
FIDE Women's World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh was honored as the Emerging Player of the Year, highlighting her rapid rise in chess. Among other major winners:
- Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma as Cricketers of the Year
- Neeraj Chopra and Rupal Chaudhary as Track & Field Athletes of the Year
- Badminton stars Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy for male badminton
- Tressa Jolly for female badminton
Jury Panel and Selection Process
The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport. The panel included:
- Abhinav Bindra
- PR Sreejesh
- Mithali Raj
- Achanta Sharath Kamal
- Leander Paes
- Devendra Jhajharia
Their experience, credibility, and deep understanding of competition ensured that the honors truly reflect excellence on the global stage, celebrating inspiring journeys and record-breaking performances from global championships to major international tournaments.
Full List of TOISA 2025 Winners
The ceremony recognized athletes across diverse disciplines, with key winners including:
- Hockey (Male): Amit Rohidas
- Hockey (Female): Navneet Kaur
- Shooting (Female): Suruchi Inder Singh
- Chess (Male): Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
- Chess (Female): Koneru Humpy
- Weightlifting (Female): Mirabai Chanu
- Wrestling (Female): Antim Panghal
- Football (Male): Vishal Kaith
- Kabaddi: Sanju Devi
This edition of TOISA not only celebrated current stars but also reinforced India's growing prowess in sports, marking a year filled with memorable victories and inspiring achievements.
