Kamal Ghorui
LUCKNOW: Leading athletes across disciplines were conferred the ‘Special Recognition for Athletes of the Decade’ honour at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday. The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances delivered during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.This segment acknowledged sustained excellence over the past decade, highlighting athletes who have consistently represented India at the highest level and delivered results across global competitions.Among those honoured were PV Sindhu, Dipa Karmakar, Sumit Antil, PR Sreejesh and Suhas Yathiraj, each of whom has played a role in India’s performances on the international stage over the years.The list also included Sakshi Malik, Avani Lekhara, Saina Nehwal, Deepa Malik, Rani Rampal, Sharath Kamal and Ravi Dahiya.The recognition reflected contributions across Olympic and Paralympic sports, including badminton, wrestling, gymnastics, shooting, hockey and para-sports.The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected performances across levels, recognising contributions that shaped India’s sporting journey over the decade.
