TOISA 2025 Returns to Honor India's Sporting Excellence in Lucknow

The prestigious Times of India Sports Awards is set to make a grand comeback with its highly anticipated eighth edition, scheduled to take place on March 21, 2026, in the vibrant city of Lucknow. This esteemed ceremony will celebrate the inspiring journeys and remarkable achievements of India's finest athletes across a diverse range of sporting disciplines, bringing together both legendary icons and promising rising talents who have made the nation proud throughout the past year.

Comprehensive Recognition Across Sporting Categories

This edition of TOISA 2025 will recognize and honor athletes across more than 45 distinct sporting categories, meticulously evaluating performances recorded between January 1 and December 31, 2025. Indian sport experienced a truly memorable year in 2025, marked by impressive achievements across global championships and major international tournaments. The awards aim to highlight not only established champions but also emerging athletes whose exceptional performances have captivated and inspired fans across the entire country.

Distinguished Jury Panel of Sporting Legends

The winners will be selected by a distinguished and highly respected jury panel that includes some of the most legendary names in Indian sports history. This panel features Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, hockey stalwart PR Sreejesh, cricket icon Mithali Raj, Paralympic champion Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis star Sharath Kamal, and tennis legend Leander Paes. Their collective expertise and experience will ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of all nominees.

Spotlight on Para Judo Nominees

Among the many athletes being recognized, several para judo players have been nominated for TOISA 2025, showcasing their incredible determination and skill:

Kokila Kaushik: The Haryana athlete delivered a remarkable international season in 2025, competing in the Women's J2 minus 52 kg category. She secured a gold medal at the IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Giza, Egypt, marking a major milestone in her career and establishing her among the top competitors in her classification. She followed this success with a silver medal at the IBSA Judo Asian Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, highlighting her growing reputation on the international para judo stage and reflecting India's strengthening presence in the sport.
Rahul Rajora: Representing Rajasthan, he enjoyed a breakthrough year on the domestic circuit, winning the gold medal in the Men's J1 minus 73 kg category at the National Para Judo Championships. This victory confirmed his status as one of the strongest competitors in his division and showcased his ability to perform under pressure, making him one of the standout performers on the domestic para judo scene in 2025.
Avidha Sharma: From Delhi, she delivered an impressive performance at the 14th National Para Judo Championships 2025 to 26, claiming the gold medal in the Senior J1 Women's plus 70 kg category while representing her state. This achievement marked an important moment in her career and played a key role in strengthening Delhi's overall performance at the championship.
Kapil Parmar: One of India's most accomplished para judokas, born on June 23, 2000, in Murli village in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, Parmar continued his impressive international run in 2025. He won a silver medal in the Men's J1 minus 70 kg category at the IBSA Asian Para Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. During the peak of his career, he also achieved the world number one ranking in the J1 minus 60 kg category, a milestone that confirmed his position among the elite athletes in global para judo.

Inspiring Journeys of Determination and Excellence

As the eighth edition of TOISA approaches, the journeys of Kokila Kaushik, Rahul Rajora, Avidha Sharma, and Kapil Parmar stand as inspiring examples of determination, resilience, and excellence. Their achievements have not only brought significant recognition to Indian para judo but have also served as a powerful inspiration for many young athletes who aspire to represent the country on the international stage. The Times of India Sports Awards 2025 promises to be a celebration of sporting spirit, honoring those who have pushed boundaries and achieved greatness.