LUCKNOW: To celebrate India’s sporting excellence, India’s top sporting stars will be under one roof at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2023, which will be held here on Friday.
TOISA 2023, which is being powered by the Govt of Uttar Pradesh, will pay tribute to the nation’s top athletes who soared to new heights on the global stage.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who will be the chief guest of the event, will felicitate sports achievers across 23 regular sports and 10 para sports categories, encompassing individual brilliance and team triumphs.
The year 2023 witnessed many victories for Indian sports stars, with stellar performances resonating across various international competitions, including the Asian Games and Para Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.
From the iconic javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra‘s continued dominance to the badminton duo Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy‘s triumphant spree, Indian athletes left an indelible mark in 2023.
The Asian Games campaign surpassed the slogan ‘Abki baar 100 paar’ as India’s contingent notched an impressive tally of 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze medals, surpassing all expectations. Moreover, many athletes secured berths for the forthcoming Paris Olympics, notably the Indian men’s hockey team.
The winners of TOISA 2023 were finalised by the eight-member jury chaired by Adille Sumariwalla, who heads the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and is the vice-president of World Athletics.
TOISA 2023 gala sports awards function today in Lucknow
Besides the team awards, there are over 170 individual nominees across 23 regular sports and 10 para sports categories, in the 2023 edition of TOISA that will once again have #MoreSweatMoreGlory as its theme.
Besides Adille, other members of the jury were former long-jumper and senior vice-president of AFI, Anju Bobby George; badminton coach and two-time Padma awardee Pullela Gopichand; Olympic medal-winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt; Olympic medallist shooter and Indian Olympic Association vice-president Gagan Narang; Paralympic medallist and Padma Shri awardee Deepa Malik; Olympic medal winning weightlifter Karnam Malleswari; and Zafar Iqbal, member of India’s gold medal-winning hockey team at the 1980 Olympics.
TOISA motivates athletes to achieve greater heights: Karnam Malleswari
THE NEWSMAKERS
Ahead of the grand ceremony, here is a recap of some the major Indian sports success stories of 2023:
NEERAJ CHOPRA, THE WORLD CHAMPION
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra continued his remarkable journey by securing his first World Athletics Championships gold in 2023, a significant achievement following his silver finish in the previous year. The javelin ace showcased his prowess by successfully defending his gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Additionally, Neeraj claimed two Diamond League gold medals during the year, triumphing in Doha and Lausanne.
DYNAMIC DUO: SATWIK & CHIRAG
In a remarkable year for Indian badminton, doubles specialists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty achieved extraordinary success in 2023. The dynamic duo secured gold at both the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Badminton Asia Championships, showcasing their dominance in major continental events. The pair also contributed to the men’s team’s silver at the Asiad. Ranked as the World No. 2 pair, Satwik and Chirag added further accolades by winning the Super 1000 title in Indonesia, along with triumphs at the Korea Open and Swiss Open, making 2023 a truly exceptional year for the talented pair.
RECORD-BREAKER VIRAT KOHLI
In 2023, run-machine Virat Kohli dominated Indian cricket, ending as the top run-scorer. In Tests, he amassed 671 runs in 8 matches with an average of 54.73, including two centuries. In ODIs, he dazzled with 1,377 runs from 27 games at an average of 72.47, achieving a record-breaking 50 centuries. Kohli’s overall tally stood at 2,048 runs in 35 matches, averaging 66.06. His stellar performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 saw him amass 765 runs in 11 matches, including 3 centuries.
INDIA’S ASIAD SUCCESS
In a historic triumph, India achieved its highest-ever medal tally at the Asian Games, surpassing the previous record of 70 set in 2018. Crossing the coveted 100-medal mark for the first time, India joined an elite group, becoming the fourth nation to do so after China, Japan, and South Korea. India excelled across various disciplines, notably dominating in archery, kabaddi, cricket, and hockey, while showcasing stellar performances in athletics, shooting, and squash. Securing its maiden gold in badminton, Indian athletes set multiple
TEENAGE SENSATIONS
In a year marked by breakthroughs, several young sports stars shattered barriers and left an indelible mark on the global stage. Aditi Gopichand Swami, at just 17, emerged as the youngest world champion archer (compound), etching her name in history as India’s first female to achieve this milestone. She also played a pivotal role in the historic gold win by the women’s team at the World Championships. Shooter Esha Singh showcased her prowess by clinching gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the ISSF World Championships, followed by a stellar performance at the Asian Games with a gold and three silver medals. Para archer Sheetal Devi defied the odds, becoming the first armless woman to claim a Para World Archery Championships medal with silver, while also securing two gold and a silver at the Para Asian Games and finishing the year as the World No.1 in Compound Para Archery.
CHESS PRODIGY PRAGGNANANDHAA
Just 18 years old, R Praggnanandhaa made chess history by becoming the youngest player to reach the final of the Chess World Cup. Following in the footsteps of the legendary Viswanathan Anand, his journey to the final showcased remarkable talent and unwavering determination. Facing the formidable Magnus Carlsen in the ultimate match, Praggnanandhaa narrowly missed the top spot, and the runner-up finish earned him a coveted spot in the prestigious 2024 Candidates Tournament. Additionally, Praggnanandhaa’s contribution to the Indian men’s chess team contributed to their silver medal win at the Asian Games.
ARCHERS’ ASIAD GOLD RUSH
Archers Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Ojas Pravin Deotale scripted history at Asian Games, securing three gold medals in compound archery. Their performances included gold in individual, team, and mixed events.