Chess: Youngest FIDE Rapid Rated Player Emerges from India

In a remarkable achievement, Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, a three-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, India, has become the world's youngest FIDE Rapid Rated chess player. Born in 2022, Sarwagya achieved a rating of 1,572 by outperforming several older opponents. His coach, Nitin Chaurasiya, highlighted Sarwagya's prodigious talent from an early age.

Hockey: Mixed Fortunes for Indian Teams

Indian hockey teams experienced a day of mixed results on December 9, 2025. The Indian Junior Women's Hockey team secured a 3-1 victory against Wales in a 9/16 qualifier match at the FIH Junior Women's World Cup in Santiago. Concurrently, the Indian Men's Hockey team commenced their series in Cape Town with a dominant 5-2 win over hosts South Africa. However, the Indian Junior Men's Hockey team faced a setback, losing 5-1 to Germany in the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025.

Tennis: Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha Qualifies for Australian Open

Indian tennis player Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha has earned a main-draw berth in the men's doubles category for the 2026 Australian Open. Poonacha secured his qualification by winning the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff alongside his Thai partner, Pruchya Isaro. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Indian athlete on the Grand Slam stage.