REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE: Last year, Aarit Kapil even held Magnus Carlsen to a draw in the ‘Early Titled Tuesday’ chess tournament, an online competition. | Photo Credit: AP

CHESS

Delhi’s Aarit Kapil becomes youngest Indian International Master norm holder

Delhi-based 10-year-old Aarit Kapil became the youngest Indian chess player to make an International Master norm after he drew with Samuel Asaka of Australia in the final round of an international tournament at Menorca in Spain.

After a brilliant start that included a victory over former world Under-20 champion and Grandmaster Nogerbek Kazybek of Kazakhstan in the second round, Aarit, who is just 10 years and seven months old, became the youngest Indian to hold an IM norm.

Winning the U-11 national championship last year was a turning point for the young Delhiite and he has taken it forward in a big way. He is currently ranked number two in the world amongst players born in 2015.

The highest point for Aarit was a draw with 12-year-old International Master Oro Faustino of Argentina who is often regarded as the ‘Messi of Chess’ in the chequered world.

Last year, he even held Magnus Carlsen to a draw in the ‘Early Titled Tuesday’ chess tournament, an online competition.

- PTI

Shivika Rohilla becomes Woman International Master

Shivika Rohilla has become a Woman International Master (WIM) following a final round draw with IM Rudolf Sertic of Croatia in the first Saturday chess tournament that concluded in Budapest.

Shivika, who had made her first norm back in 2023, came close to the final norm for the last 10 tournaments but missed the chances.

Scoring 4.5 points out of her nine games, Shivika also ensured a decent rise in her rating although her WIM rating requirements were completed in 2025 after a tournament in Poland.

The 18-year-old has now wants to complete the Woman Grandmaster title.

Tania Sachdev was the first player from Delhi to become a WIM 24 years back and very recently Sachi Jain was the second about a month earlier. Shivika is now the third.

- PTI

SURFING

Tamil Nadu surfers Sivaraj Babu, Kamali Moorthy crowned national champions

The grand finale of the Little Andaman Pro 2026 hosted by the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism in association with the Surfing Federation of India delivered a spectacular close to three days of high-intensity competition.

In a thrilling Surfing Men’s Open Final that kept spectators on the edge, Sivaraj Babu emerged as the National Champion with a score of 13.63, clinching victory by a razor-thin margin of just 0.30 points over Srikanth D, who finished at 13.33. Kishore Kumar followed closely with 12.87, while Sanjay Selvamani posted 9.30 in a fiercely contested heat.

The Surfing Women’s Open Final saw a dominant performance from Kamali Moorthy, who not only secured the National Championship title but also successfully defended her crown, marking her second consecutive win at the event. Kamali delivered an outstanding score of 15.83, winning by a comfortable margin of 4.19 points over Sugar Shanti Banarse (11.64). Devi Ramanathan (7.84) and Riva Aurora (5.23) rounded off the final standings.

In the SUP Sprint Men’s Final, Sekar Pachai continued his stellar run in the championship, clocking 1:22.32 to secure the top podium position. He was followed by Akash Pujar (1:24.65) and Selvarasan Nagamuthu (1:29.98), completing a highly competitive race.

The SUP Sprint Women’s Final saw Vijayalakshmi Irulappan deliver a commanding performance, finishing first with a time of 1:40.35. Arthi secured second place with 1:48.02, while Nishi finished third at 2:47.94.

- Team Sportstar

PICKLEBALL

Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh win India’s first gold at the US Open Pickleball Championship 2026

Arjun Singh and Aditya Singh beat top seeds Ryder Brown and Soli Messiri to win India’s first gold for the tournament in the ongoing US Open Pickleball Championship 2026. The brothers won in straight sets (11-1, 11-5), blanking out the favourites to win the US Open in the U/18 boys doubles.

In the women’s singles category, Naga Moksha won the bronze medal in a tightly fought contest. This is India’s first ever participation under the affiliation of the Indian Pickleball Association in the US Open Pickleball Championship that is currently being held at Naples, Florida.

“This is extremely special for us, achieving this together is something that we and our family will cherish for a long time. We have worked very hard to make this happen and thank everyone who have supported us from back home. Most importantly, we are really grateful to the Maharashtra Pickleball Association and the Indian Pickleball Association for this opportunity.” Said Arjun Singh & Aditya Singh right after winning the gold at the championship.

Purvansh Patel qualified for the Pro Doubles main draw earlier today. The 16-year-old will play the main draw tomorrow, while the rest of the Indian contingent, including Mihika Yadav, Dhiren Patel, Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, and others, will kick off their campaign later in the day.

- Team Sportstar

HOCKEY

Hockey Jharkhand clinches gold Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026

Hockey Jharkhand successfully defended their title and emerged as champions of the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, after defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh in a closely fought Division ‘A’ final.

Sugan Sanga (5’) handed Jharkhand an early advantage by converting a penalty corner, but Nammi Geethasri (37’) brought Madhya Pradesh back on level terms in the second half. With both teams locked at 1–1 and pushing hard for a winner, it was Sewani Kerketta (56’) who rose to the occasion, netting a crucial field goal in the dying minutes to seal the title for the hosts.

Earlier in the day, Hockey Association of Odisha defeated Uttar Pradesh Hockey 4–2 in the 3rd/4th place match of the Division ‘A’ to clinch the bronze medal.

- Team Sportstar

Uttar Pradesh Hockey clinch gold in Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026

Uttar Pradesh Hockey emerged champion of the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026 in Rajgir, Bihar after defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the Division ‘A’ Final.

Hockey Punjab secured the Bronze medal, overcoming Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey in the 3rd/4th place match.

Uttar Pradesh drew first blood early in the contest through skipper Ketan Kushwaha (4’), who opened the scoring with a field goal. Hockey Madhya Pradesh responded swiftly as Gazee Khan (8’) struck the equaliser to keep the match evenly poised.

However, Uttar Pradesh soon wrested back control, with Nitish Yadav (13’) converting from a penalty corner before Ali Shahrukh (28’) extended the lead with a field goal. Rajbhar Prahlad (35’) and Chauhan Raghvendra Singh (40’) then added to the tally to put Uttar Pradesh firmly in command. Ayush Singh Lodhi (43’) managed to pull one back for Hockey Madhya Pradesh, but it proved to be only a consolation as Uttar Pradesh sealed a comprehensive 5–2 win.

- Team Sportstar

ATHLETICS

Sarun, Vithya win

National indoor champion Sarun Payasingh continued his good run as he won the men’s long jump gold with 7.46m at the fourth leg of the Indian Athletics Series in Ranchi.

Among other notable performers, international Vithya Ramraj won the women’s 400m hurdles gold and World championships finalist Sarvesh Kushare secured the men’s high jump title.

- Team Sportstar

Indian women’s marathon team finishes creditable 5th

Priyanka Goswami led the Indian women’s marathon team to a creditable fifth place finish at the World Athletics Race Walking Championships in Brazil.

Goswami finished 10th with a time of 3 hours 43 minutes and one second, while Payal (3:59:50) was 26th and Manju Rani (4:05:22) was 30th in the gruelling women’s marathon race walk event.

After taking into account the performances of the top three finishers of each country, India was placed in fifth slot.

In the men’s marathon race walk event, India fielded only two competitors — Ram Baboo and Sandeep Kumar — and thus did not figure in the team rankings.

Ram Baboo finished 17th with a time of 3:13:55 while Sandeep Kumar was 20th with 3:15:41.

- PTI

SHOOTING

Sonam finishes fifth as India concludes WC campaign with one gold

Sonam Maskar put up a brave fight but finished fifth in the women’s 10m air rifle final as India concluded its World Cup (Rifle/Pistol) campaign in Granada with one gold medal.

Sonam shot 188.5, bowing out after the 18th shot of the 24-shot final.

Indians reached seven finals, but only the 10m air pistol pair of Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak won gold on the opening day of competition.

Sonam shot 632.8 in the first qualification relay to qualify in seventh place for the final. Mehuli Ghosh, with 627.3, was placed 44th, while Shruti, the third Indian in the field, shot 624.8 to finish 63rd in the 91-strong field.

Sonam began the final with a strong 10.6 but followed that up with a 9.8, which probably cost her a podium finish in the end given the high quality final.

Earlier, Niraj Kumar shot 589 in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions qualification round, while Akhil Sheoran shot 588 to finish 15th and 22nd respectively. Chain Singh could not make it past elimination on Saturday itself.

- PTI

Published on Apr 12, 2026