The Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million (PBMM), Gr 1, to be run this Sunday, turns 37 this year, and over the years, it has flourished given its popularity and glamour quotient. Back in 1990, the Poonawalla brothers, Cyrus and Zavaray, dreamed up this juvenile blockbuster, inspired by the flashy Cartier Million abroad. They promised the fattest purse ever for a three-year-old winner. The first edition saw Le Gris Cheval, ridden by Bajrang Singh and trained by Ivor Fernandes, flash home to win a million rupees. But prize money alone doesn’t make a race a household name. The real magic happened in 1993. The Poonawallas’s marketing team added a free contest — guess the first four finishers right, and drive home a new Maruti 800. A Mumbai housewife, a total racing newbie, entered because her five-year-old daughter fell in love with a horse named Red Buttons. “Mummy, keep Red Buttons, I like the name!” the kid insisted. Mum did, and Red Buttons, trained by Rehanullah Khan, caused a stunning upset. The lady won the contest and drove off in her new wheels, making front page news the next day. Overnight, the event became dinner-table talk across Mumbai. This year the car on offer is a Toyota Glanza. And if you’re dreaming of winning it, keep an eye on jockey Suraj Narredu. The man’s on a clean sweep — three straight PBMMs in the last three years. In the fray will also be Trevor Patel (also with three PBMM wins) and David Allan (two wins).
19 February,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviIndia’s ace pistol shooter Manu Bhaker thanked her 15 lakh Instagram followers for their wishes as she celebrated her 24th birthday on Wednesday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manu Bhaker (@bhakermanu) The two-time Olympic bronze medal winner, posted a slew of pictures dressed in a pretty pink salwar kameez, accompanied with the caption: “Thank you for all the warm wishes and blessings. Embracing the 24th season of my life. Maza aayega, hopefully.”
19 February,2026 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentManchester Commonwealth Games 2002 rifle shooting gold-medallist Suma Shirur engaged in a series of fun pictures for mid-day, mimicking a pistol with her fingers, at the Mumbai Press Club during the announcement of the 16th RR Lakshya Cup on Wednesday. Suma, who was the chief coach of the Indian air rifle team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has conceptualised the tournament, which will be held on February 21. For details, log on to lakshyashooting.com.
19 February,2026 09:44 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentPop icon Madonna surprised American figure skater Amber Glenn with a special message ahead of her individual event at the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina on Tuesday. Madonna, who is referred to as the ‘Queen of Pop,’ had seen Amber’s short program dance routine — the first of two segments in figure skating competitions, the other being free skating — which she performed on the 67-year-old singer’s hit single Like a Prayer. “I have to tell you, I was blown away by it,” Madonna was seen telling Glenn in a video message. “You are an incredible skater. So strong, so beautiful, so brave. I can’t imagine that you would not win. So I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold,” she added. Amber was in utter disbelief after receiving the message from the seven-time Grammy Award winner. “I’m in shock. I’m in complete shock. I’m legitimately shaking. Oh my God,” Amber said.
19 February,2026 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentTwo-time Olympic men's ice hockey champions Sweden will face the USA in the quarter-finals of the Milan-Cortina tournament after they beat Latvia 5-1 in a qualification playoff on Tuesday. Sweden finished in third place in group play, forcing them to come through the play-offs. But the Swedes, winners at the 1994 and 2006 Winter Games, had no trouble dismissing the Latvians at the Santagiulia Arena to move onto a meeting with the unbeaten Americans on Wednesday. The other three quarter-finals also take place in a bumper day of action on Wednesday. The Czech Republic will play Canada, the favourites for the title along with the USA, after defeating Denmark 3-2 in their qualification playoff. Switzerland progressed to play reigning Olympic champions Finland by beating Italy 3-0. Germany, led by 2020 National Hockey League (NHL) MVP Leon Draisaitl who opened the scoring, thrashed France 5-1 and will play Slovakia in the last eight. Both Canada and the USA have rosters full of players from the NHL, who are playing at an Olympics for the first time since 2014. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
18 February,2026 02:40 PM IST | Milan, Italy | AFPOn February 12, India’s Satendra Singh Lohiya became the first Asian para-swimmer to cross New Zealand’s Cook Strait, completing the 24 km open-water challenge despite harsh weather, icy currents and a last-minute team collapse. “I never accepted feeling disabled; I have always believed there is nothing I cannot do,” he said while talking to Mid-Day. Para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohiya with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Adversity made me stronger While the icy waters and harsh weather tested his endurance, the toughest battle was assembling a team in a country he had never set foot in. After years of mental and physical preparation before flying to New Zealand, events did not unfold as he had hoped. His first attempt ended in heartbreak when members of his relay team withdrew midway, leaving his dream seemingly shattered in the middle of the challenge. “My dreams were breaking before my eyes,” Satendra recalled. “But instead of returning home defeated, I chose to fight back.” With no relay team to help him complete the circuit in a distant corner of the world, Lohiya demonstrated that success demands far more than passion and grit. Within hours of speaking to more than a hundred swimmers in New Zealand, he managed to assemble a new support team on a continent he had never visited before. Sue Mellsop, Andy McDonagh, Deb Hambly, Ellen Wellington and Brett Richardson from Wellington stood by him, helping him regroup and prepare for another attempt. This time, there was no turning back. The biggest hurdle... Lohiya had trained for years for the attempt, but his initial plan fell apart when his relay support team withdrew midway. Satendra Singh Lohiya during his successful Cook Strait crossing in New Zealand “The toughest part of the Cook Strait was not the distance, nor the harsh weather or cold waters; it was building a new team in a country I had never been to,” he said. “After being left almost alone with only a few members of my original team, it was my pilot in New Zealand who helped me find swimmers willing to support my crossing.” Acknowledging the role his new teammates played, Lohiya added, “New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world, not just because of its scenic beauty, but because of its people, who are always ready to help without hesitation. If I had not found those five swimmers in Wellington, my dream of crossing the Cook Strait would have remained incomplete.” From Bhind to Wellington Born with both legs, Lohiya lost them just months later due to alleged medical negligence. What could have extinguished a dream instead of igniting one. As a child, he found freedom in the water, taking his first strokes in a local river near his village. Even when people told him that sports were “not meant” for someone like him, he quietly made a promise to himself that he would conquer the waters. Speaking to Mid-day while waiting for his flight back home from New Zealand, Lohiya reflected on his journey. “Even though every person and every minute made me feel that I was disabled, I never accepted it. I have always believed there is nothing I cannot do,” he said. After completing his schooling, he moved to Gwalior to pursue professional training. Money was scarce, support was limited and doubts were constant. Yet, with every obstacle, his resolve only strengthened. His first major breakthrough came at the 10th National Paralympic Swimming Championship, where he won a bronze medal — a moment that reaffirmed he was on the right path. In 2014, he was honoured with the ‘Vikram Award’ by the Madhya Pradesh government, presented by then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Mumbai: A breakthrough in Satendra’s career Until then, Lohiya had competed only in traditional Paralympic-style 50m and 100m swimming events. However, the city of dreams introduced him to something he had never imagined, sea swimming. When he arrived in Mumbai to participate in his first open sea swimming competition organised by the Indian Navy, he experienced a turning point. “I was a short-distance swimmer. That swim in Mumbai opened the doors to sea swimming for me,” he said, recalling the moment that reshaped his sporting ambitions. International waters awaited Lohiya Soon, his ambitions expanded beyond Indian shores. After becoming a decorated para-athlete by completing almost every cross-country swimming circuit in India, he registered for the prestigious 32 km English Channel challenge, one of the most demanding open-water swims in the world. The cost of such cross-country swims — often between Rs 15 and 20 lakh — posed a major hurdle. It was then that Tata Trusts stepped in to support him financially in 2018. “While no one believed in me, Tata Trust showed faith by helping me financially,” Lohiya said, adding that he not only completed the English Channel swim but also created a record. Satendra Lohiya honoured with Padma Shri in 2024 After dominating international waters in cross-country swimming across numerous national and global competitions, para swimmer Satendra Lohiya was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri in 2024. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of his outstanding achievements and inspirational contribution to Indian sports. Satendra Lohiya receiving Padma Shri in 2024 from President Droupadi Murmu (Pic/Special arrangement) Expressing his feeling on being honoured by the President and meeting the Prime Minister, Lohiya said, “That day holds a very special place in my heart. When I started, I always had the belief in myself. However, this was something that I never thought of; those few moments still feel like a dream.” Achievement Swimmer: Satendra Singh Lohiya, 38 Distance: 24 km Location: Cook Strait, New Zealand Date: February 12 Historic first: First Asian para-swimmer to complete the crossing The struggles of India’s para-athletes When asked about the broader challenges faced by para-athletes in India, Lohiya spoke candidly. “Sports authorities in India do not prioritise para-athletes. Many of us travelling abroad get stuck in immigration or visa clearances, which sometimes causes us to miss our events,” he said. “All a para-athlete in India seeks is proper guidance from sports officials so that we can smoothly complete immigration formalities and travel across the globe to fulfil the dreams we work towards every day,” Padma Shri awardee Satendra Lohiya added. Satendra's life has not been 'free-flowing' (Pic/Special arrangements) Despite winning national medals, Lohiya received no structured support from the state, reflecting the absence of a clear policy for para-athletes at the time. He wrote multiple letters to the Social Justice Ministry and the Sports and Youth Welfare Department of Madhya Pradesh, but received no response. In 2015, he went a step further, filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Jabalpur High Court and submitting several RTI applications. It was only after his historic English Channel triumph that the government took note. In March 2019, Madhya Pradesh introduced a policy recognising para-athletes in registered competitions and awarding them on par with able-bodied athletes — a significant move toward greater equality in Indian sport. Lohiya's New Zealand support team Satendra Lohiya with his team members in Wellington. (Pic/Special arrangements) Sue Mellsop Andy McDonagh Deb Hambly Ellen Wellington Brett Richardson “The toughest part was not the cold or distance, but rebuilding a team in a country I had never been to,” Lohiya said. Cost of chasing global dreams Long-distance international swims can cost Rs 15-20 lakh, often funded through sponsorships or personal loans. Reflecting on the financial struggles that he faced, Lohiya said that financial backing from Tata Trusts helped him attempt global challenges. Why Cook Strait is so difficult Distance: About 24 km Water temperature: Often near freezing Currents: Among the world’s strongest tidal flows Weather: Sudden winds and rough seas Named after British explorer Captain James Cook, the strait separates New Zealand’s North and South Islands and is considered one of the toughest open-water swims globally
18 February,2026 01:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Tarun VermaIndia para shuttler Pramod Bhagat, who clinched two gold medals at the BWF Para World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, recently, has revealed that winning a record sixth singles gold in the SL3 category holds a lot more value to him than the men’s doubles gold he won alongside Sukant Kadam in the SL3-SL4 category. He doesn’t mean to undervalue doubles in any way, but there’s a special reason why he treasures this sixth gold. “This singles gold medal is definitely the most satisfying for me because I surpassed my idol Lin Dan, who won five World Championship gold medals during his stellar career. He’s a legend,” Bhagat told mid-day on Tuesday. Bhagat, 37, who started his career in 2006, defeated Indonesia’s Muhammad Al Imran 21–12, 21–18 in the final to become the world’s most decorated men’s singles world champion in badminton history with six titles to his name, surpassing Dan with five. In doubles, Bhagat and Sukant overcame fellow Indians J Dilli and N Sivakumar 21-19, 21-16 to clinch the title. However, Bhagat, a 2020 Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist, revealed that the record isn’t the only reason it holds so much value. The World No. 2 shuttler served an 18-month ban till September 2025 for breaching anti-doping regulations (whereabouts failure). “When you’re out for one-and-a-half year, a lot of difficulties arise. This World Championships medal is very close to me because I came back after a long break. I trained hard under 2004 Olympian Nikhil Kanetkar and his team in Pune. We put in a lot of work and it’s his guidance that has helped me win this [singles] medal. Compared to all my previous medals, this one was the most difficult and challenging,” Bhagat signed off.
18 February,2026 10:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Karan ShankarOlympic medal-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain was elegance personified in her recent Instagram post, draped in a striking blue and pink saree. The 28-year-old, who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, accompanied the picture with the caption: “Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovlina Borgohain (@lovlina_borgohain) The pugilist’s 208,000 followers on Instagram showered her with praise. “God bless our sister, a legend of India,” read one comment, while another person called her the “Queen of Assam.”
18 February,2026 10:22 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMid-fielder Hardik Singh was on Tuesday named captain of the embattled Indian men's hockey team for its FIH Pro League matches in Hobart from February 20 to 25 after regular skipper Harmanpreet Singh opted out due to "personal reasons." The upcoming leg of the tournament will feature India alongside Spain and hosts Australia at the Tasmania Hockey Centre in Hobart. The side lost all its four matches in the just-concluded Rourkela leg, which included a shocking 0-8 drubbing at the hands of Argentina. "After a disappointing four matches in Rourkela, where the results didn't go our way, we've learned some good lessons and made some notable improvements," India coach Craig Fulton said. New captain Hardik is a two-time Olympic bronze-medallist. The team will also feature youngsters including Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh, who made their debut appearances for the senior team during the Rourkela leg. "Harmanpreet Singh will not be part of the squad due to personal reasons," Hockey India said in a statement. A source close to the player said that the seasoned campaigner would be missing the games to welcome his second child with wife Amandeep Kaur. Suraj Karkera and Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar will share the goalkeeping responsibilities. Pawan, who was there in the Rourkela leg, makes way for Mohith in the squad. Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit add the experience to the defensive unit that also includes exciting youngsters such as Amandeep Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, and Poovanna Chandura Boby. Hardik, Sanjay, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Raj Kumar Pal will anchor the mid-field alongside Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh and Vishnu Kant Singh. The forward line will be led by established stars including Mandeep Singh, Abhishek and Shilanand Lakra. Striker Maninder Singh also marks his return to the team. He last played for India in the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2023-24. Another forward Angad Bir Singh, who made his debut for the senior team last year, also comes back to the team for his first international tour, while young guns Araijeet Singh Hundal and Aditya Arjun Lalage complete the attacking line. "Going into the Hobart leg, we're aiming for improved performances and looking to finalise our squad for the World Cup and the Asian Games," Fulton said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 February,2026 09:14 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIIndia’s first-ever Olympic fencer Bhavani Devi, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, wrote a heartfelt Instagram note to her mother Ramani on the occasion of her birthday recently. “My mother and my hero. Happy Birthday to the woman who carries the strength of a thousand. Thank you for being my backbone and my heart. Today and every day we celebrate you,” read Bhavani’s post, which was accompanied by a slew of pictures featuring them together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by C A Bhavani Devi (@bhavanideviofficial) The 32-year-old fencer has also won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Championships (2018, and 2022), and a bronze medal in the 2023 Asian Championships. She also won the Arjuna Award in 2021.
17 February,2026 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentIt seems the adage ‘love reigns over all’ holds true even for rivals, in this case, two fierce ice-skating rivals. Spain’s figure skater Olivia Smart may not have had a Winter Olympics to remember after finishing ninth at Milano Cortina, but she’ll still be going home with silverware in the form of a ring, after former Team USA ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker proposed to her on Valentine’s Day. Olivia, 28, had competed against Jean-Luc, 32, in the ice dancing event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics after which the pair began dating. Jean-Luc broke the news of their engagement via Instagram, with an Instagram post that read: “It’s always been you,” accompanied by a video featuring him proposing to Olivia on the streets of Milan. According to USA’s PEOPLE magazine, the two had been friends for over a decade, before they began dating.
17 February,2026 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
