Times of India Sports Awards 2026 Set for March 21 in Lucknow
The eighth edition of the prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) is scheduled to take place on March 21, 2026, in the vibrant city of Lucknow. This grand event will celebrate the outstanding achievements of India's finest athletes across various disciplines during the 2025 sporting season. The awards aim to honor performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, spanning more than 45 categories, and will recognize both established stars and emerging talents who excelled at global and continental events.
Eminent Jury to Ensure Credible Evaluation
Winners will be selected by an eminent jury comprising some of India's most celebrated sports personalities. The panel includes Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, hockey great PR Sreejesh, former India cricket captain Mithali Raj, Paralympic legend Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis icon Sharath Kamal, and tennis great Leander Paes. This diverse and respected group ensures a credible and thorough evaluation of excellence in Indian sport, adding significant prestige to the awards.
Standout Performers Among Athletics Nominees
Several standout performers feature among the athletics nominees after impressive international seasons in 2025. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra led the men's field by breaching the 90m mark with a national record throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League. Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh enjoyed a sensational year with double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m at the Asian Athletics Championships, while sprinter Animesh Kujur set a new national 100m record. In the women's category, athletes like Parul Chaudhary, Jyothi Yarraji, Pooja Singh, and Rupal Chaudhary impressed with medal-winning performances and record-breaking displays throughout the season.
Detailed Profiles of Key Athletics Nominees
Neeraj Chopra continued his remarkable career in 2025, achieving a historic breakthrough by surpassing 90m for the first time with a throw of 90.23m in Doha. Despite a rare setback at the World Athletics Championships, he extended his streak of top-two finishes at the Diamond League Finals and clinched victories at events like the Meeting de Paris and the Neeraj Chopra Classic.
Animesh Kujur made history by becoming the first Indian sprinter to qualify for the World Athletics Championships. He set national records in both the 100m and 200m events, winning a bronze medal at the Asian Athletics Championships and showcasing his rising talent on the global stage.
Gulveer Singh dominated long-distance events, rewriting national records in the 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m. He became the first Indian to break the 13-minute barrier in the 5000m and secured gold medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the Asian Athletics Championships, establishing himself as a continental force.
Sachin Yadav enjoyed a breakthrough season with personal bests and strong finishes, including a fourth-place result at the World Athletics Championships and a silver medal at the Asian Athletics Championships, highlighting his potential in javelin throw.
In the women's category, Parul Chaudhary delivered a remarkable season by repeatedly breaking the national record in the 3000m steeplechase and winning silver medals at the Asian Athletics Championships. Rupal Chaudhary had a stellar year with three medals at the continental meet, including golds in relay events. Jyothi Yarraji defended her Asian title in the 100m hurdles with a competition record, though her season was cut short by injury. Pooja Singh announced her arrival by winning gold in high jump at the Asian Athletics Championships, becoming the first Indian woman in decades to achieve such a feat.
Celebrating India's Sporting Legacy
The TOISA 2026 event promises to be a significant celebration of India's sporting legacy, bringing together athletes, fans, and officials to honor the hard work and dedication displayed throughout 2025. With a focus on recognizing excellence across diverse sports, the awards underscore the growing prominence of Indian athletes on the world stage and inspire future generations to pursue sporting greatness.
