LUCKNOW: The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 brought together the biggest names and the most iconic performances to celebrate the achievements of the year while also giving a glimpse of what’s to come. It was a fast-moving, well-recognized night that showed where Indian sport is today.Mandana She topped the women’s category in Athlete of the Year honors and her season was marked by authority and consistency. Alongside her, shooter Samrat Rana made history last year when he became the first Indian 10m air pistol world champion to gain recognition in the men’s category, a defining breakthrough in his career.In 2025, Indian sports achieved excellence in every discipline. This was most evident with Para-Athletes of the Year Sheetal Devi and Sumit Antil.Sheetal Devi’s rise has been marked by historic breakthroughs and medal-winning consistency. A world champion and Paralympic medalist, she has dominated the sport of compound archery while also breaking barriers and even being selected for an able-bodied international team, a first for an Indian para-archer.
Sheetal Devi and Sumit Antil named Para-Athletes of the Year
Meanwhile, Sumit Antil continues to set the benchmark for para athletics. A multiple Paralympic champion and world record holder, he further cemented his dominance by winning gold at the World Para Athletics Championships, always staying on top.From there, the ceremony picked up pace with a glittering roll call of India’s sporting elite. The Indian women’s cricket team consolidated its dominance by sweeping the team honours, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India was named Federation of the Year.“I would like to thank TOI again for organizing these awards. It is great to see so many talented people here. Their achievements are truly extraordinary and it is important that they are recognised,” BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said while accepting the award on behalf of the board.Divya Deshmukh was named Emerging Athlete of the Year, signaling a new generation ready for the global stage, while Leander Paes won the Mentor of the Year award.
Yogi Adityanath to participate in TOISA 2025
The highest honor was conferred by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at a grand ceremony held at The Centrum in Lucknow.However, TOISA 2025 is as much about messaging as it is about recognition. As the chief guest, Adityanath laid out clear policy directions, emphasizing the need to build sports from the grassroots.“We are working hard to ensure every region becomes a hub for physical activity, with facilities, coaching and opportunities available to all. From village level competitions to international platforms, we aim to create a seamless pathway for athletes. “He also highlighted the progress made in developing sports infrastructure in the state. “In the last 11-12 years, the country has developed sports culture. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have promoted this development in Uttar Pradesh since 2017,” he added.“On behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, I once again welcome you all. I am grateful to Times of India Group… for organizing this wonderful platform to recognize excellence and inspire the next generation,” he concluded.Among the other major recipients, Amol Muzumdar was named Coach of the Year for leading the women’s team to a historic ICC ODI World Cup title, while Subhash Rana won the Disabled Coach of the Year award.Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma were named Cricketers of the Year, while Neeraj Chopra and Rupal Chaudhry won the athletics awards.
Superstars of TOISA 2025
The evening also reflected on legacy. Mithali Raj and PR Sreejesh were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a career that shaped the global image of Indian sports. The look forward comes from Devendra Jhajharia, who talks about her 50-medal target for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics; not ambition, but expectation.The tone was set early on, though. Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head, TOI, Indiatimes and WhatsHot, captured the essence of the evening in his keynote address: “More sweat, more glory – this is the journey that Indian sports continues to embrace.”This is the eighth edition of TOISA, which celebrates the journey and achievements of India’s best athletes across more than 45 sports categories, covering performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025, a year that once again showcases the growing depth, consistency and ambition of Indian sports.TOISA 2025 winners list: Samrat Rana, Smriti Mandhana bag top honors; Sheetal Devi wins Disabled Female Athlete of the Year award
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