More Than Medals: The Relentless Journey of Akshay Mahara Booshanam
By the time Akshay Mahara Booshanam was ten, his idea of fun didn’t quite match what most other kids his age were doing. While others played cricket in the lanes of Delhi, Akshay preferred throwing punches into the air, practicing kicks with invisible opponents, and mimicking Bruce Lee moves with serious intent. Back then, no one around him saw karate as anything more than a hobby. Certainly not a career. But even as a child, Akshay knew he felt something deeper. There was a certain fire that only lit up when he was in motion, fists clenched, breath sharp, mind still. That fire never went out Now 24, Akshay is a name etched into Indian karate history, not because he comes from privilege or a polished sports ecosystem, but because he refused to stop fighting, quite literally and figuratively. He’s India’s top-ranked karate athlete in the -84kg category and has held that spot since 2018. He’s a Commonwealth gold medalist, a Senior National Champion, and a regular feature in international championships across Asia and beyond. In a sport often pushed to the margins in India, Akshay has carved his place through sheer resilience. The Making of a Karateka Akshay’s childhood was shaped by the quiet rhythm of Delhi-city life school at St. Columba’s, evenings filled with energy, and a growing sense of discipline that came from the dojo. He joined Bharat Sharma’s Karate Academy, and suddenly, things began to click. Karate wasn’t just a sport anymore. It was a mirror. A test. A place where he could channel his hunger, his need to excel, his desire to matter. “It made me feel alive,” he once said in an interview, a simple sentence that somehow captures everything he stands for. By the time he was in college, earning a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications and later a Master’s in Global Business Operations from SRCC, Akshay had already amassed medals across state, national, and international stages. Competitions weren’t occasional anymore. They were constant. His schedule danced between training sessions and tournaments, books and flights, lectures and weigh-ins. It wasn’t easy. But then again, nothing worth doing ever is. The Summer of Silver and Gold If 2025 has proven anything, it’s that Akshay is in the form of his life. This June, he travelled to Bangkok to compete at the Thailand Open Karate Championship, held from June 26th to 29th. With athletes from 16 countries, the competition was fierce, but so was Akshay. He walked away with two silver medals: one in the individual -84kg category, and one in the team event. Barely catching his breath, he moved on to the 9th South Asian Karate Championship, where he turned silver into gold twice. Akshay clinched the individual -84kg title as well as the team kumite gold, marking his third South Asian title and a third individual gold at the championship. It wasn’t just a medal haul. It was a statement: he’s not slowing down. More Than Just Numbers Today, Akshay’s career medal count stands at over 90. That includes eight national golds, three South Asian titles, two Commonwealth golds, and now, these fresh silver and gold medals from Thailand and South Asia. This year alone, he added a Senior National gold to the collection affirming what many in the karate circuit already knew: he’s the best India has right now. But numbers never tell the full story. Behind every podium finish is a grind, training sessions that start before sunrise, the sting of narrow losses, the effort it takes to stay fit, focused, and fighting. And the mental strength required to keep going in a sport where the spotlight rarely lands. Walking the Lonely Road Unlike cricket or badminton, karate doesn’t enjoy prime-time billing in India. The infrastructure is patchy, sponsorships rare, and media coverage sparse. Athletes like Akshay operate in the shadows, training, traveling, competing, often without the financial or emotional safety net many of their peers in other sports enjoy. And yet, there he is showing up, still chasing gold, still believing that karate in India is on the cusp of something big. Because for Akshay, this journey isn’t just about his own medals. It’s about creating space. About leaving behind something larger than himself. The Sportz Planet Desk
World Boxing applauds ‘Athlete First’ approach, extends Ajay Singh-led Interim Committee’s term till August 31
Acknowledging the structured effort undertaken by the Interim Committee to restore transparency and stability in the functioning of the Boxing Federation of India, World Boxing has extended the term of the Committee headed by Ajay Singh till August 31, 2025. World Boxing had appointed an Interim Committee in April this year to run day-to-day affairs. The committee since had ensured structured domestic nationals and followed by international tournaments across all age categories (U15,U17 and Elite) with complete focus on athletes first approach in their initially term of 90 days and ensure Indian Boxing regains it’s lost glory. In a letter address to Singh, World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst congratulated the Interim Committee for their ‘Athletes First’ approach that has ensured continuous participation of Indian boxers in major international events and successfully making podium finishes. “We are pleased to observe that the Interim Committee has been functioning effectively and has made significant strides in restoring transparency and stability within the national boxing administration. World Boxing continues to monitor developments in Indian boxing closely and is encouraged by the continued participation of Indian athletes in international competitions, as well as their consistent success on the podium. These achievements are a reflection of the structured and positive efforts being undertaken under your leadership,” Vorst said in his letter to Interim Committee Chairman. “Given the upcoming domestic and continental events, the Interim Committee is hereby requested to continue managing the affairs of the BFI to ensure seamless participation of Indian athletes at all levels,” he further added in his letter. Indian boxers clinched a total of 11 medals, including three gold and five silver in the recently concluded World Boxing Cup — Astana, Kazakhstan 2025. They had also bagged six medals in the first leg in Brazil and came up with impressive showing in Thailand International Open as well. Vorst’s letter also mentioned his recent interaction with the Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha, who also appreciated the efforts being undertaken by the Interim Committee. The Sportz Planet Desk
Pro Panja League Season 2 to be held in Gwalior
The Pro Panja League, the World’s premier ArmWrestling competition, is all set to return for its highly anticipated Season 2, starting August 5 in the vibrant city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Following the phenomenal success of Season 1, which was broadcast on the Sony Sports Network, the league is now gearing up to take things to the next level. Season 2 will once again feature top Indian ArmWrestlers who will add further intensity to the already electric competition. Fans can expect returning athletes from Season 1 and exciting new talent looking to make their mark on the Panja table. Gwalior is known to have a massive fanbase for ArmWrestling as witnessed in 2022 when Pro Panja League hosted Mega Matches at the Gwalior Fort ahead of the inaugural season of the league. Announcing the league’s return to Gwalior, Pro Panja League co-founder Parvinn Dabass said, “There couldn’t have been a better place for Season 2 than Gwalior. The people here have always given a warm welcome to us and we had an amazing time when we hosted the mega matches a few years ago. The league has grown a lot since then and we can’t wait to come back to Gwalior and witness the exciting ArmWrestling action.” Preeti Jhangiani, President of the People’s ArmWrestling Federation of India, Vice President of the Asian ArmWrestling Federation and the co-founder of the league added, “The response from fans, athletes, and media exceeded all expectations at season 1 and hence we are coming back at an even larger scale for the second season. We are looking forward to touchdown at Gwalior and welcome everyone for what is going to be our biggest-ever event so far. We look forward to seeing the fans at the venue in huge numbers as the sport grows exponentially in India.” The Pro Panja League will again be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network. About Pro Panja League The Pro Panja League is a professional arm-wrestling tournament in India, founded by Swen Entertainment. The league hosted its first-ever arm-wrestling tournament in India on 29th February 2020 at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi. The Sportz Planet Desk
CyberPowerPC India launches special ‘Esports Masterclass’ series to guide gamers and parents through the world of esports
In a first-of-its-kind effort to build awareness around gaming and esports in India, CyberPowerPC, a global leader in custom gaming PCs, has unveiled an ‘Esports Masterclass’ series, which will be taking place at ApeCity, Navi Mumbai. The initiative aims to help both gamers and their parents understand the structure, opportunities, and challenges of India’s growing esports and video gaming industry. The series aims to spark open dialogue between families and the gaming industry, offering insights into the discipline, dedication, and long-term potential of esports. The first masterclass of the series featured Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer of CyberPowerPC India, alongside Jai Shah and Yash Bhanushali, co-founders of esports organization Orangutan and ApeCity. Together, they helped 30+ parents and gamers understand the current state of India’s esports ecosystem, the career opportunities it offers, and the importance of balancing academics with competitive ambitions. They also addressed common misconceptions and emphasised how parental support can play a crucial role in a gamer’s journey. The second masterclass, titled ‘The Journey of Becoming an Esports Athlete’, spotlighted two of India’s top players, Arman (Aaru) and Ankit Shukla (Akop). They shared personal stories from their early days in the industry, their daily routines, the pressure of competition, and their experiences dealing with losses, public expectations, burnout, and social media scrutiny. Their candid advice gave young players a realistic perspective on what it truly takes to thrive in esports. This awareness push comes at a time when esports is gaining unprecedented recognition and entering the mainstream sporting landscape in the nation. Since being officially recognised as a multi-sport event by the Government of India in December 2022, esports has featured in this year’s Khelo India Youth Games, is a medal sport at the Asian Youth Games 2025, and will also be part of the upcoming Asian Games. The Olympic Esports Games, set to take place in Riyadh in 2027, further cements its global standing. At the state level, governments in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, among others, are actively hosting official esports tournaments. Indian athletes will also represent the country at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh this year, which features a total prize pool of $70 million (approximately INR 598 crore). Through its ‘Esports Masterclass’ series, CyberPowerPC India aims to bridge the knowledge gap between parents and gamers by encouraging honest conversations, breaking common myths, and nurturing a more supportive environment for India’s next generation of esports athletes. Vishal Parekh, COO, CyberPowerPC India, said, “Gaming and esports in India have evolved into a thriving ecosystem offering diverse career opportunities across content creation, game development, broadcasting, esports management, and of course, professional play.. With this masterclass series, our goal is to involve both gamers and their families in the journey. We want parents to understand how structured and disciplined the industry has become, and at the same time, help gamers learn what it truly takes to grow into successful esports athletes. When both sides learn together, we can create stronger support systems for future champions.” According to the FICCI-EY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025, total participation in esports tournaments in India crossed the 2 million mark in 2024 and is expected to reach 2.8 million in 2025. The prize pool across major tournaments is also projected to grow from INR 187 million in 2024 to INR 250 million in 2025, reflecting the rising scale and competitiveness of the industry. CyberPowerPC India, which recently celebrated its first anniversary in the country, has consistently contributed to the ecosystem not just by offering powerful gaming PCs but by creating access and driving grassroots engagement. From giving away gaming PCs worth lakhs to powering ApeCity with high-performance rigs, the brand has shown a strong commitment to building a pipeline of talent. This ensures that world-class gaming infrastructure is accessible at the grassroots level, allowing aspiring players to train and grow in the right environment. The Esports Masterclass series is just the beginning of CyberPowerPC’s larger effort to drive understanding and acceptance of esports and PC gaming as a serious, structured, and sustainable career path, while also contributing to the overall development of the industry. The masterclass series will take place every Sunday at ApeCity, featuring different voices from across the esports ecosystem to help raise awareness, educate families, and advocate for the industry. Those interested in attending can follow CyberPowerPC India’s social media channels for registration details and updates –https://www.instagram.com/cyberpowerpc.in?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== About CyberPowerPC:Founded in 1998, CyberPowerPC is a global leader in custom gaming computers, delivering high-performance systems to gamers and tech enthusiasts worldwide. Known for innovation, reliability, and top-notch customer service, CyberPowerPC partners with leading component manufacturers to ensure cutting-edge performance and build quality. Committed to excellence, CyberPowerPC continues to set benchmarks in the custom PC industry, celebrating its robust lineup of desktops, laptops, and gaming accessories. The brand’s offerings are available at nearly every major retailer in the US & Canada, like Costco, Walmart, Staples, Fingerhut, Rakuten and more. The Sportz Planet Desk
Former PKL Champion Akash Shinde Ready to Chase Glory with Bengaluru Bulls
Growing up in the small town of Nashik, Akash Shinde had big dreams but no clear path to follow. No one from his district had ever made it to national-level kabaddi before him. But now, the Pro Kabaddi League season 10 champion, who was bought by Bengaluru Bulls for INR 53.10 lakh during the PKL 12 Player Auction, is ready to lead a young team towards glory. “No one in my family played kabaddi. It was more popular in my village, but no one from my district, Nashik, had played at the national level before. That made it a real challenge. Still, I trusted my process and kept working hard,” says Shinde, remembering those early days when success seemed far away. The journey wasn’t easy. Every step forward meant figuring things out on his own. “Step by step, I kept finding out what improvements should be made in the game and how to develop. I kept working on that and kept moving forward,” he explains. Now, looking at his new teammates at Bengaluru Bulls, Shinde sees the same hunger he once had, comparing it to another Bengaluru-based sports team that ended a long trophy drought — the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The journey wasn’t easy. Every step forward meant figuring things out on his own. “Step by step, I kept finding out what improvements should be made in the game and how to develop. I kept working on that and kept moving forward,” he explains. Now, looking at his new teammates at Bengaluru Bulls, Shinde sees the same hunger he once had, comparing it to another Bengaluru-based sports team that ended a long trophy drought — the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “I am feeling very good. It’s a new and young team. The way RCB won with a young team, we will win the PKL too. There is a lot of excitement. The young boys have a clear mindset that they just have to prove themselves,” he added. The need to prove yourself – Shinde knows it well. He felt it during his heartbreaking loss with Puneri Paltan in Season 9, when they lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers by just 2-3 points. But that pain made the victory sweeter in PKL 10, while also captaining his team in the absence of the injured skipper Aslam Inamdar. “When I was in Puneri Paltan, we lost to Jaipur Pink Panthers by 2-3 points in season 9. We put in a lot of hard work in the next season and became the champions,” he recalls. “So, obviously, those kinds of things provide you with experience and help you maintain composure during crunch situations.” That championship win changed everything. It proved that all the hard work was worth it. Now, as he watches his young Bulls teammates, Shinde sees that same determination in their eyes. And behind every successful player is a coach who believes in them. For Shinde, that’s BC Ramesh, with whom he won the PKL back in the landmark 10th season. “He is strict on the ground only. He treats all of us like his kids, like family members,” Shinde says warmly. Having someone who cares about you like family makes all the difference in a tough sport. Shinde’s success story means something bigger than personal glory. He opened doors for others from his region. “We have some very good players in Maharashtra. The skill level is very high and that’s the reason why we get some of the finest players from the state. The competition is very tough,” he concluded with pride. The Sportz Planet Desk
MI NEW YORK – CHAMPIONS OF MLC 2025!
Mumbai Indians Lift Their Second MLC Trophy in Just Three Years, Clinch 13th Global Title – Mumbai Indians have added yet another glittering jewel to their crown, with MI New York winning the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) title, their second championship in just three seasons. This triumph marks Mumbai Indians’ 13th major title globally — and their third trophy in 2025 alone, following MI Cape Town’s SA20 win and the Mumbai Indians Women’s triumph in the WPL earlier this year. MI New York delivered a commanding campaign, capped by a powerful performance in the final, reaffirming their dominance in Major League Cricket and further elevating Mumbai Indians’ stature as the most successful global T20 franchise group. In a remarkable show of consistency and depth, MI teams competed across five leagues on three continents, reaching the playoffs in all five, and emerging as champions in three, across both men’s and women’s competitions. Mrs. Nita M. Ambani, ““What a truly special moment for the Mumbai Indians family! MI New York lifting their second MLC trophy in three years is not just a win on the field — it is a celebration of passion, belief, and teamwork. From the Women’s Premier League in India to championship victories in South Africa and now the USA, MI’s incredible journey across continents this year is a powerful reminder of how sport can build bridges and spread joy around the world. We are deeply grateful to all our fans — the MI Paltan — who have always stood by us and remain at the heart of our journey. My congratulations to every player, coach, supporter, and every member of our global MI family!” Mr. Akash M. Ambani, said, “This is a humbling and proud moment for all of us at Mumbai Indians. MI New York lifting their second MLC title — as part of a title hat-trick this year across India, South Africa, and the USA — is deeply fulfilling. Yes, it’s about winning trophies, but equally, it’s about building a global cricketing platform that gives talent the opportunity to shine and fans a reason to dream. This success reflects years of belief, culture, and commitment across our teams. Congratulations to every team member at MI New York who made this moment possible.” With a total of 13 championship titles, Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchise in global T20 leagues — including 5 IPL titles, 2 Women’s Premier League titles, 2 Major League Cricket titles, 2 Champions League T20 titles, and one each in the ILT20 (MI Emirates, 2024) and SA20 (MI Cape Town, 2025). With five teams across three continents and four countries, the Mumbai Indians continue to dominate the global T20 landscape, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep, enduring bond with fans around the world. The Sportz Planet Desk
AIPA Team India Set For Asian Junior Pickleball Championship In Vietnam
Team India is all set to compete at the Asian Junior Pickleball Championship in Vietnam from July 13–16, 2025. With 32 young athletes representing various age categories and states across the country, this marks a significant milestone in India’s growing dominance in international pickleball. A grand flag-off ceremony was held in Mumbai to honor the squad, with dignitaries like Rahul Vira, Pravin Amre, Sunil Valavalkar, and Mandira Bedi rallying behind the young talents.
Chelsea Defeat Paris Saint-Germain To Win FIFA Club World Cup
Chelsea have claimed their second trophy of the season, stunning reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain with a dominant 3-0 victory in the final of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. English midfielder Cole Palmer scored twice, and Brazilian forward João Pedro added another as the Blues secured a resounding win in New Jersey. The victory marks a significant triumph for Chelsea, especially against a PSG side that entered the tournament as strong favorites after a stellar season.
Raiwat Sagdeo And The Relentless Pursuit Of MMA Greatness
From accidentally signing up for a “martial art” class thinking it was sketching, to training at Bali MMA with global talent—21-year-old Raiwat Sagdeo’s journey into the brutal, beautiful world of Mixed Martial Arts is as unconventional as it is inspiring. In this candid conversation, the Nagpur-born fighter opens up about infrastructural struggles in India, the pressure of injuries, self-belief, and why chasing greatness for him is about becoming the best version of himself—not just reaching the UFC.
Simran, Sumit Antil & Others Strike Gold On Opening Day of Indian Open Para Athletics
The 7th Indian Open Para Athletics Championship kicked off with a spectacular showcase of talent at Bengaluru’s Shree Kanteerava Stadium, where over 260 athletes from across India competed fiercely for gold. With qualification for the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships on the line, champions like Sumit Antil, Deepthi Jeevanji, and Simran led the way, setting the tone for a thrilling tournament ahead.