The first Classic of the Mumbai season 2025-26 will be run at the Mahalaxmi racetrack on Sunday (Dec 14). At the entries' stage there are 13 runners in the fray, but only one filly is being talked about: Fynbos. The Kingda ka - Mahali three-year-old filly bred at the Nanoli Stud was carefully folded up like an expensive accordion by trainer Pesi Shroff after her Bangalore Derby triumph in July. She chose to stay indoors during the entire Pune monsoon season, and made her first appearance on the opening day of the Mumbai season in a Class II event which she won, clocking 33.79 seconds for the final three furlongs, without working up sweat! Personally, I have never seen a lay-off horse registering that kind of a finish without really getting into the top gear. True, as I mentioned there are 13 runners at the entries' stage, including Prasanna Kumar's Ravishing Beauty and Rajesh Narredu's Indian Brocade (who both finished in photo for the Mysore 1000 Guineas), not to mention Pesi Shroff's own Kings Gambit who, ironically, was the first favourite--and only length-and-a-quarter shy at the wire--when Fynbos scored her first victory as longshot on this track last year. Kings Gambit also dazzled on the opening day of the current season, albeit winning a class III race, and the Dynamic Class difference between the two, at present, seems unbridgeable. In all probability, Fynbos will likely end up easily winning the first Classic of the season with a measure of comfort. In the 2009-10 season, Pesi Shroff trained Jacqueline, in the hands of Richard Hughes, made a clean sweep of the first four Indian Classics at Mahalaxmi: the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Derby. The main reason was Jacqueline was far superior to the entire crop of that year--colts included! (Becket, trained by S Padmanabhan, who beat Jacqueline in the Indian St Leger, was a broken horse when the first four Classics were run). If Fynbos wins the 1000 Guineas on Sunday, as she most probably will, it will be interesting to see if she tries to emulate Jacqueline, because even among this crop, there is no colt who seems capable of taking on Fynbos.
11 December,2025 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash GosaviIndia produced a brave-heart performance, nullifying a two-goal deficit to beat Argentina 4-2 and clinch the bronze medal in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup here on Wednesday. India produced a valiant fightback with Ankit Pal (49th minute), Manmeet Singh (52nd) and Anmol Ekka (58th) converting penalty corners, while Sharda Tiwari scoring from the spot (57th). Argentina had earlier scored through Nicolas Rodriguez (3rd) and Santiago Fernandez (44th). 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
11 December,2025 08:13 AM IST | Chennai | PTIFormer Bollywood actor Preeti Jhangiani, who is also the President of the People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI), the Vice President of the Asian Armwrestling Federation (AAF), and Co-Founder of the Pro Panja League (PPL), was honoured with the prestigious Sports Business Leader of the Year (Female) award at the 3rd CII Sports Business Awards in New Delhi recently. Jhangiani received the award for her efforts in promoting Indian Armwrestling on the global stage. Jhangiani emphasised her mission to build a professional ecosystem that offers structure, opportunity and financial security to athletes as the PPL Season 3 is set for international expansion. “The vision for the PPL was always larger than life because this sport can transcend the difference between classes and masses. It has a low financial entry point. Also, it’s a very desi sport, but has a huge international audience. So, our initial strategy was to begin with small tournaments in front of significant monuments; like we did one tournament at Gwalior Fort, another in front of the Gateway of India, another at a Casino in Goa, and one in a tourism boat in Bhopal,” said an elated Jhangiani, who has worked in some superhit Bollywood movies like Mohabbatein (2000), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), and LOC: Kargil (2003) among others. “PPL has athletes from Kashmir to Kerala and almost every state in between. PPL is the world’s largest and only global armwrestling league. So, this award is from CII and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs is a shot in the arm,” she added. SixNo of franchise teams in Pro Panja League (PPL) 32 lakhNo of viewers of PPL Season 1 in 2023 170 bnTotal PPL views across social media platforms
11 December,2025 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentShiven Vyas of Children’s Academy (Kandivli) emerged the fastest runner, bagging two gold medals among boys U-16 at the 131st Dream Sports MSSA annual inter-school athletics meet at Wings Sports Centre, Bandra, on Monday. Shiven dominated the 100m dash, clinching gold (11.66s), followed by Advik Adke of The Universal School (Ghatkopar) at 12.05s, and Aadit Gawtade of Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School (12.16s). On Tuesday, Shiven set a New Meet Record (NMR) in the 80m hurdles (11.27s), breaking Vivan Jadhav’s 2023 mark of 11.42s. Aadish Punde (11.43s) and Tanishq Jondhale (11.49s) finished in second and third place respectively. In the girls U-16 100m, Riya Ranjit of Vasant Vihar HS (Thane West) stormed to gold in 12.75s, while Vian Mahabat of Utpal Shanghvi Global School took silver (13.09s), and Asmi Joshi of Lakshdham (Goregaon) won bronze 14.01s). Other results Boys U-14 100m final: Aarush Jayant Chavan (Thakur Public School Kandivli) 12.45s, Samarth Pandya (Bhaktivedanta Swami Mission School) 12.47s, Juan D’Souza (St Dominic Savio High School) 12.63s.Girls U-14 100m final: Laseya Rao (Utpal Shanghvi Global School) 13.32s, Madhavi Yadav (Mary Immaculate Girls High School) 13.43s, Samruddhi Chavan (Balmohan Vidya Mandir, Dadar) 13.50s.Girls U-12 100, final: Ariana Iyer (Lokhandwala Foundation School Kandivli) 13.62s, Krishika Bangera (St Peter’s School, Mazgaon) 13.72s, Aarohi Varal (Gokuldham High School & Junior College) 14.17s.Boys U-12 sprint final: Aryaveer Kar (Vibgyor High, Goregaon) 13.62s, Francis Sebastian Jose (Children’s Academy, Thakur Complex) 13.68s, Reyansh Sumith (Vasudev C Wadhwa Arya Vidya Mandir) 14.11s.
10 December,2025 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamAnuraj Sawant’s story is not one of limitation, but of limitless determination. The Holy Family High School (Andheri) athlete, who was born with an under-formed left arm, continues to redefine what courage looks like on the track. On Tuesday, at the 131st Dream Sports Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school annual athletics meet at Wings Sports Centre, Bandra, Anuraj, 13, won the gold medal in the boys U-14 800 metres with an impressive timing of 2:25.5 seconds. Anuraj Sawant’s mother Sharvari (left) ties his shoelaces at Wings Sports Centre, Bandra, on Tuesday. Pics/Satej Shinde In a tightly-contested race, Ved Pujari of Children’s Academy (Malad) took the silver (2:25.7s), while Tanishq Manjrekar of IES VN Sule Guruji English Medium School (Dadar) won bronze (2:26.0s) A day earlier, Anuraj clinched bronze in the U-14 boys 400m event, clocking 59.84 seconds. Aarush Chavan of Thakur Public School (Kandivli) won gold (57.30s), while Ved won the silver (59.43s). Coach Dayanand Shetty, who trains Anuraj at the Dominic Savio ground in Andheri, praises his ward’s sincerity. “Anuraj is a rare talent. He’s always on time for training, completes every drill sincerely, and constantly works on his stamina and endurance without complaining,” Shetty told mid-day. Anuraj’s father Shankar is a taxi driver, while mum Sharvari is a housewife, meaning their circumstances are modest. Yet, his younger brother Aradhya, nine, is also encouraged to take up sport and is excelling too. At the same meet, Aradhya has won two gold medals in the boys U-10 category (in long jump with a leap of 4.46m and in the 100m dash, clocking 14.75 seconds) Interestingly, Anuraj is crystal clear about his path ahead. “My parents and my coach have decided that when I turn 14, I will start competing in para events. My dream is to win a Paralympic medal for India,” Anuraj told mid-day. The big challenges notwithstanding however, it’s the little things that irk the teenager: “The only problem I face is in tying my shoelaces.” 2min 25.50secTiming with which Anuraj Sawant won the gold medal at the boys U-14 800m final 59.84secTiming with which Anuraj Sawant won the bronze medal in the boys U-14 400m race
10 December,2025 09:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamVed Pujari of Children’s Academy (Malad) and Madhavi Yadav of Mary Immaculate Girls High School (Borivli) lit up the arena at Priyadarshani Park (Nepean Sea Road) recently, as both athletes registered New Meet Records (NMR) in high jump and shot put respectively, during the 131st Dream Sports Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) annual inter-school athletics championship. Thirteen-year-old talent The 13-year-old Ved, one of the most talented jumpers of his age group, produced a stellar performance in the boys U-14 high jump final. With steely focus and remarkable technique, Ved cleared 1.73 metres, surpassing the previous meet best to enter the record books. The previous meet mark of 1.72 metres had been set in 2012 by Nikhil Shetty of St Lawrence High School (Kandivli). Ved’s achievement comes in a highly successful season. Earlier this year, at the CISC Nationals in Bengaluru, he clinched three gold medals in high jump, long jump, and the 80m hurdles events. His consistency and excellence earned him qualification for the prestigious SGFI Nationals, where he went on to secure a bronze medal in high jump with a personal best of 1.77 metres. Saturday’s performance at Priyadarshani Park reaffirmed his growing reputation as one of Mumbai’s most exciting young athletes. Stiff competition Ryley Lobo of Bombay Scottish School (Mahim) and Daksh Patel of Children’s Academy (Malad) finished joint second, both clearing 1.50 metres. Vihaan Kishore Yadav of St Francis School ICSE (Borivli) also recorded 1.50m, but was placed fourth on countback. In the girls U-14 shot put final, Madhavi produced a commanding throw of 10.89 metres, setting a new meet record while comfortably securing first place. Her powerful and technically refined effort went past the previous benchmark of 9.79 metres set by Pristal D’Souza of St Francis School (Borivli) in 2018. Kamaksha Dudhade of Thane Police School (Thane) finished second with a solid 9.61m while Leher Unadkat of Rustomjee International School (Dahisar) took the third spot with her throw of 9.47m.
09 December,2025 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamHarsh Utkar of Vasant Vihar High School (Thane) and Pranav Khedkar of Thane Police School emerged champions in the boys U-16 long jump and boys U-16 discus throw events respectively at the Dreams Sports MSSA annual athletics meet at Priyadarshani Park, Nepean Sea Road, recently. In the long jump event, Harsh leaped an impressive 5.92 metres to clinch the gold medal ahead of schoolmate Aaryan Bachhav, who settled for silver (5.76m). Swanand More of Udayachal High School (Vikhroli) claimed bronze (5.76m). In the discus throw final, Pranav Khedkar bagged gold with a throw of 29.99m. Terence Neela of Children’s Academy (Malad) won the silver medal with a throw of 28.92m, while Vivaan Poojary of Vasant Vihar High School (Thane) took the bronze thanks to his throw of 28.56m.
09 December,2025 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus Vedanayagam35 No. of different drivers who have become F1 World Champions (Giuseppe Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alberto Ascari, Mike Hawthorn, Jack Brabham, Phil Hill, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Denny Hulme, Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter, Alan Jones, Nelson Piquet, Keke Rosberg, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Häkkinen, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris.) 11No. of World Champions from Britain (Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Damn Hill, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Lando Norris.) 8No. of World Champions from McLaren (Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris) 152No. of races it took Norris to become world champion; the fourth-longest in F1 history after Jenson Button (160), Nigel Mansell (176) and Nico Rosberg (206)
09 December,2025 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentA tearful Lando Norris claimed his maiden Formula One world drivers’s championship title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, ending Max Verstappen’s four-year reign. The Briton finished third in the season-ended behind Red Bull’s race winner Verstappen and the other title challenger, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, to claim the crown by two points. After crossing the line his team engineer told him: “That’s it mate, you are world champion, world champion!” “Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true,” he replied, before adding at the post-race media interaction, “I haven’t cried in a while, I didn’t think I would cry, but I did. [Winning the title] feels amazing, I know now what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate both Max and Oscar, I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been at McLaren for seven years – plenty of crazy, difficult times, plenty of good times. I’m proud to bring them a world title” Lando Norris is cheered on by the McLaren crew as he takes the chequered flag McLaren, headed by team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Brown, secured back-to-back constructors’s titles in Singapore last month. Norris becomes Britain’s first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 with this 13th drivers’s crown for McLaren. Interestingly, Hamilton was also the last McLaren driver to win the title in 2008. Norris’s success comes over half a century after Emerson Fittipaldi claimed the British marque’s first drivers’s title in 1974. A galaxy of F1 greats followed — James Hunt (1976), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Mika Hakkinen (1998, 1999) and Hamilton in 2008. Piastri, who had led the championship for much of the season before being overtaken by Norris in Mexico, finished third in the standings. Sunday’s race was the first time the title was decided by a contest involving more than two drivers since a four-way scrap in 2010. 17No. of years since a McLaren driver last won the F1 championship 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
08 December,2025 10:25 AM IST | Abu Dhabi | AgenciesSimranpreet Kaur Brar overcame a challenging field to win the women’s 25m pistol gold while men’s 50m rifle 3-position exponent Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar bagged a silver on ISSF World Cup Final debut here on Sunday. Simranpreet shot a superb 41 in the final, while Aishwary finished 0.9 points behind Czechia’s Jiri Privratsky, who shot 414.2. 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
08 December,2025 10:07 AM IST | Doha | PTIIndia were knocked out of the Hockey Junior World Cup on Sunday after succumbing to a chastening 1-5 defeat at the hands of Germany. For the Germans, Lukas Kossel scored a brace (14th and 30th min), while Titus Wex (15th), Jonas Von Gersum (40th), and Ben Hasbach (49th) scored a goal each.India’s solitary goal was struck by Anmol Ekka (50th). 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
08 December,2025 10:05 AM IST | Chennai | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
