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Journalism of Courage

Shashank Nair

Shashank Nair works as a sports journalist with Indian Express.

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‘Peace and closure’: Mirabai Chanu on a medal that took four Asian Games cycles

October 07, 2026 19:35 IST

A coach's remark in a Manipur gym set the target. Chanu and Vijay Sharma needed years, a changed plan for the Commonwealth Games and a Paris miss to reach it

Wed, Oct 07, 2026

Lovlina Borgohain poses for photographers during the medal ceremony for the women's 75kg boxing event at the 20th Asian Games, in Nishio, Aichi, Japan, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (PTI Photo)

Asian Games gold best medal of my life, says Lovlina Borgohain

October 05, 2026 07:00 IST

After winning an Olympic bronze medal in Japan, Lovlina made a successful return to the country, winning an Asian Games gold half a decade later.

Sun, Oct 04, 2026

‘Sham’ contracts, inflated revenues: Charges against Manchester City, penalties it could face

October 01, 2026 14:31 IST

Under the Premier League's strict financial rules, clubs can only make a certain amount of losses before attracting penalties. The amount of money a club can spend on transfers is tied to the revenue it makes.

Fri, Oct 02, 2026

In the finals, Bhaker was finding shots in the low 10s and high 9s but never into the mid 10s that are the hallmark of a form shooter (ANI Photo)

Asian Games: In shooting, India’s search for gold continues

September 23, 2026 21:50 IST

Highly-rated 10m air pistol team finishes fourth; in individual event, Manu Bhaker is fifth and Esha Singh fifteenth

Wed, Sep 23, 2026

Why are Indian rifle shooters missing out on gold at Asiad? It’s in how they begin their finals

September 21, 2026 14:42 IST

Indian shooters tend to do well over five shots window in first 10 shots of a final, whereas Sheng Lihao consistently delivers world class scores in a two-shot burst that is the format used in the final 14 shots

Mon, Sep 21, 2026

Anahat's ascent has been rapid, but her path to the podium could depend on how quickly her physical development catches up with her precocious talent. (PSA)

Anahat Singh eyes Asian Games gold and a ticket to LA 2028

September 16, 2026 09:15 IST

Anahat Singh enters the Asian Games as a genuine gold-medal contender, but her biggest test will be whether her physical development can match her precocious talent.

Wed, Sep 16, 2026

In 2022, Rahi Sarnobat faced nerve pain that left her bedridden. Multiple tests later, a diagnosis was made – neuropathic pain, an ailment that came with no set plan of recovery. (Photo: Rahi Sarnobat Instagram)

How Asian Games-bound Rahi Sarnobat is rediscovering her mojo at 35

September 13, 2026 11:30 IST

Neuropathic pain waylaid the 25m pistol shooter for three years, but she's forged a remarkable international comeback

Sun, Sep 13, 2026

Shooting and its difference of decimals means it isn’t just about the rifle or its wielder, but the relationship of the barrel with the pellet. (NRAI)

Pellets, the smallest item that makes the biggest difference in shooting

September 12, 2026 08:47 IST

Shooters hit a target the size of a pin from 50 metres and need complete harmony between barrel and bullet.

Sat, Sep 12, 2026

Indian rifle shooter Vidarsa K Vinod in action. (Instagram/Vidarsa K Vinod)

Vidarsa K Vinod: from a college NCC trial to India’s Asian Games shooting squadSubscriber Only

September 03, 2026 20:13 IST

A rifle she couldn't afford to own became the one obstacle between her and the sport she loved

Thu, Sep 03, 2026

From left, Indian women boxers silver medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and gold medallists Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Priya Ghanghas (60kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg) and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) after the boxing events at the 23rd Commonwealth Games (CWG), in Glasgow. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Asian Games litmus test to judge India’s resounding boxing success at CWGSubscriber Only

August 03, 2026 21:16 IST

While medals won by Arundhati, Sakshi and Ankush stood out, for Jaismine and Preeti, it was a reaffirmation of their steady progress

Tue, Aug 04, 2026

Arundhati Choudhary was one of seven Indian boxers who won gold on Saturday at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Arundhati Choudhary: From the city with a tutor for everything except boxingSubscriber Only

August 02, 2026 08:15 IST

Kota is India's tuition capital, but had no boxing coach at all. A martial arts instructor who learned the sport from YouTube took on the job anyway, and coached Arundhati Choudhary to Commonwealth gold in the women's 70kg

Sun, Aug 02, 2026

The seven gold medals and three silver won by the pugilists makes India the top boxing contingent at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. (AP Photo)

Indian boxers a class apart as seven gold medals set a new standard at CWGSubscriber Only

August 02, 2026 00:13 IST

Apart from three pugilists, everyone who entered the ring on Saturday tasted victory, boosting the overall tally of the contingent

Sun, Aug 02, 2026

India's Arundhati Choudhary celebrates after defeating Wales' Rosie Eccles in the Women's 70kg semifinal boxing bout to advance to the final at the Commonwealth Games 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday, July 31, 2026. (PTI Photo)

Arundhati hands Welsh boxing icon Rosie Eccles fiery farewell to make 70kg finalSubscriber Only

July 31, 2026 22:44 IST

Booed from the start as the crowds cheered for the retiring British star, the boxer from Kota, Rajasthan ruled the first two rounds with her combinations.

Fri, Jul 31, 2026

How FIFA plans to sell a stake in the World Cup — and why this has sparked outrageSubscriber Only

July 30, 2026 06:30 IST

FIFA has created a new commercial entity and will sell a minority stake in it. Leading the investor group is an extended family member of US President Donald Trump.

Thu, Jul 30, 2026

From ‘curse’ to crown: How Delhi teen Anahat Singh scripted Indian squash history

Egypt conquered, Asia next: Anahat Singh plots her route to direct LA28 spotSubscriber Only

July 27, 2026 23:57 IST

18-year-old world junior squash champion focusing on improving physicality and muscle mass to make successful transition to senior circuit.

Tue, Jul 28, 2026

India`s Samaresh Jung in action at the 10m Air Pistol Pairs men during the 2010 Commonwealth Shooting Fedration Championship in New Delhi (Express photo by RAVI KANOJIA)

India’s ‘Goldfinger’ who took Melbourne by storm with his pistol 20 years agoSubscriber Only

July 23, 2026 07:30 IST

Samaresh Jung won five gold medals at the 2006 CWG as part of an Indian team of stalwarts, in a sport that won't be part of the upcoming compact edition

Thu, Jul 23, 2026

Spain players celebrate with the trophy after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

853 passes, one goal and total control: How Spain won FIFA World CupSubscriber Only

July 20, 2026 18:19 IST

FIFA World Cup: Spain won the World Cup final by keeping the ball, controlling the game and giving Argentina very few chances. Their strong defence and passing game completely stopped Lionel Messi and Argentina from finding their rhythm.

Mon, Jul 20, 2026

Enzo Fernandez is arguably Argentina's second-most influential player behind Lionel Messi in this FIFA World Cup. (AP Photo)

Enzo Fernandez begged Messi to stay in 2016. Now he carries himSubscriber Only

July 17, 2026 11:43 IST

FIFA World Cup 2026: A teenage letter asking Messi not to retire has become one of football's great full-circle stories. Wednesday in Atlanta, Fernandez wrote the next chapter himself.

Fri, Jul 17, 2026

The abject French surrender was a crushing end to the reign of a man used to collecting records as player and manager.

How Didier Deschamps’s elite bunch fell short on big stage – 3 times to SpainSubscriber Only

July 15, 2026 20:07 IST

France coach invested in his ultra-talented players but modern football is a collective effort; one World Cup title in 14 years in charge not the optimum return for the resources at his disposal

Thu, Jul 16, 2026

Tuchel-ball: Special ops substitutions, internal competition for spotsSubscriber Only

July 10, 2026 20:57 IST

The German was questioned earlier on his omissions, but his subtractions have proven as effective as additions as England play quarters against Norway

Fri, Jul 10, 2026

It has been the story of this World Cup – different teams attempting their own spin in solving the France puzzle – each has failed at varying degrees. (AP Photo)

FIFA World Cup: How teams have attempted to beat France and failedSubscriber Only

July 10, 2026 07:22 IST

FIFA World Cup 2026: The story of this World Cup has been the different teams attempting their own spin in solving the French puzzle, each failing at varying degrees.

Fri, Jul 10, 2026

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (9) celebrates following the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

After Folarin Balogun fracas, how Belgium did their talking on the pitch vs USASubscriber Only

July 07, 2026 23:48 IST

Romelu Lukaku & his teammates enacted an impromptu dance after the Round of 16 win to mock Donald Trump

Wed, Jul 08, 2026

Salah and Messi meet in the World Cup Round of 16 – the first time Egypt will face Argentina at the event. (AP Photo)

FIFA World Cup: Salah & Egypt won’t get a better chance to topple Messi’s ArgentinaSubscriber Only

July 07, 2026 06:15 IST

Defending champions Argentina were out on their feet against Cape Verde, and there's a worrying lack of goals from players apart from Lionel Messi

Tue, Jul 07, 2026

England beat Mexico to reach quarterfinal of World Cup 2026. (AP)

England go from breathless to breathtaking to breathing, finally burying MexicoSubscriber Only

July 06, 2026 08:42 IST

Jude Bellingham brace, a red card reducing England to 10 men, two converted penalties and relentless Mexican waves on the field, finish in a 3-2 classic win for Harry Kane's side

Mon, Jul 06, 2026

In Nuno Mendes, Portugal have an antidote to neutralise Spain’s Lamine YamalSubscriber Only

July 05, 2026 20:13 IST

PSG full-back has had the upper hand in the four encounters with the Barcelona phenom, who is returning from injury

Sun, Jul 05, 2026