Indian Sports Wrap, October 25: Five Indians confirm medals at Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships

BADMINTON

India’s strong performance at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships reached new heights on Friday, with five Indian shuttlers securing a place in the semi-finals – and in turn confirming medals – in Chengdu.

The highlight of the day came from Lakshya Rajesh, who put up a spirited battle against top seed Lalita Sattayathadakoon of Thailand (11-21, 21-16, 21-19) in the quarter-finals of the U-17 girls’ singles. Her victory capped a great day for the Indian contingent, who now feature in multiple semi-final categories.

Joining Lakshya in the last four is sixth seed Diksha Sudhakar, who edged past Indonesia’s Raisya Affatunisa 21-17, 21-8 in another impressive performance. In the boys’ singles, Jagsher Singh Khangurra continued his good form with a win over Zhan Shing Yui of Hong Kong China, winning 21-13, 21-14.

India also celebrated progress in doubles as Jangjeet Singh Kajla and Jananika Ramesh advanced to the semi-finals of the U-17 mixed doubles following the retirement of their Chinese opponents. Earlier, top seed Shaina Manimuthu reached the semi-finals of the U-15 girls’ singles with a 21-14, 21-16 win over Japan’s Yubuki Azumaya.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Bhullar was in seventh place after the third round in Manila

Gaganjeet Bhullar remained in the mix despite a closing bogey at the 18th in the third round of the International Series Philippines.

Bhullar, who has been in the Top 10 since the first round, is now seventh with rounds of 67-69-67 and is 13 under.

Bhullar is four shots behind the three co-leaders, Sampson Zheng (62), Miguel Tabuena (65) and Sarit Suwannarut (69), who are all 17 years younger.

On a day where he found 11 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens, Bhullar still needed 28 putts.

He birdied three times on the front nine at Sta Elena Golf Club and then added three more on the 13th, 16th and 17th to reach six under for the day. A bogey on the 18th set him back slightly.

Karandeep Kochhar (67) with eight birdies against three bogeys was in the Top-20 at T-19, and Ajeetesh Sandhu (72) with an eagle, two birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys was T-50th.

Yosuke Asaji (65) is in fourth place at 16 under, while Dean Burmester (65) and Kazuki Higa (68) are in fifth place at 14 under.

-PTI

Sharma ends up with another missed cut in Korea

A three-under 68 was not enough to erase the damage of a horror opening round as Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma capped a disappointing season with another missed cut at the Genesis Championship.

Sharma had a six-over 77 in the first round, including a run of five bogeys and a double bogey from the second to the seventh at Woo Jeong Hills.

Sharma’s second round had two bogeys and five birdies, but that wasn’t enough to keep him in all weekend.

– PTI

FOOTBALL

Indian U-20 women defeated Kazakhstan U-19 3-2 in a friendly match

The India Under-20 women’s team defeated Kazakhstan Under-19 3-2 in the first of two friendly matches at the BIIK Sports Complex in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam opened the scoring in the second minute, turning in Neha’s cross from the right, before Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam doubled the lead in the 15th minute, again assisted by Neha.

Kazakhstan pulled one back in the 23rd minute through Zhanel Talasbayeva’s penalty, but Pooja restored India’s two-goal lead before half-time, finishing a fine delivery from right-back Remi Thokchom.

Nazim Aldanazar converted a penalty for the hosts late in the match, but India held on to secure the victory.

The Young Tigresses will face Kazakhstan again on October 28 as part of their preparation for the 2026 AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup.

– Team Sportstar

Published on October 25, 2025