As India proudly celebrates its 79th Independence Day, the nation reflects on its remarkable journey and achievements across various fields, with sports shining as a beacon of progress and inspiration. From dominating the global chess arena to Neeraj Chopra's historic 90m javelin throw, the year has been filled with moments of sporting excellence that have united the country and instilled a sense of pride.
In the world of chess, India's dominance has been nothing short of phenomenal. The nation has solidified its position as a chess powerhouse, with young talents making waves on the international stage. R Praggnanandhaa is currently ranked as India's No.1 chess player and world No.4. The country boasts a remarkable depth of talent, with multiple players consistently challenging seasoned grandmasters and securing prestigious accolades. This year, Divya Deshmukh scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's World Cup. This win also earned her the Grandmaster title, making her India's 88th Grandmaster, and only the fourth Indian woman to achieve this feat. Velammal MHS School from India claimed the gold medal at the 2025 World Schools Team Championship, winning all eight of their matches. President Droupadi Murmu has lauded the country's global chess dominance, highlighting the impact of young, confident players and the transformative changes brought about by the National Sports Policy 2025.
Adding to the nation's sporting glory, Neeraj Chopra, India's celebrated javelin thrower, finally breached the elusive 90m mark. At the Doha Diamond League 2025, Chopra achieved a distance of 90.23 meters in his third attempt, joining an elite club of javelin throwers who have crossed this coveted barrier. This historic throw not only set a new national record but also reaffirmed Chopra's status as one of the sport's all-time greats. While he finished second in the competition, the 90m mark had become a symbolic mountain for Chopra, a distance he had been chasing for years. His former coach believes that 94m is within reach for him.
Beyond chess and javelin, India has witnessed remarkable achievements in other sports as well. Gulveer Singh has been a standout performer in athletics, setting new national records in the men's 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m races. At the Gyulai István Memorial Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix 2025, Singh broke his own national record in the 3000m race with a time of 7:34.49, solidifying his position as a dominant force in Indian long-distance running. Indian athletes have also been making waves in track and field events, with new national records set in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. The men's 4x100m relay team, comprising Gurindervir Singh, Amlan Borgohain, Animesh Kujur, and Manikanta Hoblidhar, clocked 38.69s at the National Relay Carnival 2025, breaking a 15-year-old record. Dev Meena set the national record in pole vault with 5.40m at the World University Games 2025.
In cricket, India defeated New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy. India's women's cricket team has also been instrumental in changing perceptions towards female sports in the country. Their achievements, including winning silver at the Commonwealth Games and gold at the Asian Games, have driven increased engagement, commercial success, and financial stability. Kabaddi continues to gain global recognition, with the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup being held outside Asia for the first time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, reiterated his government's commitment to promoting sports in remote areas of the country. He emphasized that the recently approved National Sports Policy 2025 will play a crucial role in realizing this goal, fostering a complete ecosystem of sports and making it accessible to children across the nation. The Google Doodle for Independence Day 2025 celebrates India's achievements in sports, cinema, space, and other fields. The theme for this year's Independence Day is Naya Bharat, reflecting the government's vision of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
