Rising Stars in Indian Sports: Aarit Kapil and Shivika Rohilla Shine in Chess, while Tamil Nadu Dominates Surfing and Pickleball Triumphs at the US Open

Delhi’s Aarit Kapil Becomes Youngest Indian International Master Norm Holder

In a remarkable achievement for Indian chess, 10-year-old Aarit Kapil from Delhi has made history by becoming the youngest Indian to secure an International Master (IM) norm. This milestone was reached during an international tournament held in Menorca, Spain, where Aarit drew with Samuel Asaka from Australia in the final round.

Aarit’s journey to this prestigious title has been nothing short of extraordinary. His tournament began with a stunning victory over former world Under-20 champion and Grandmaster Nogerbek Kazybek of Kazakhstan in the second round, setting the stage for his historic accomplishment. At just 10 years and seven months old, Aarit has now etched his name in the annals of chess history.

The young prodigy’s rise to prominence began last year when he clinched the U-11 national championship, a pivotal moment that propelled him into the international chess arena. Currently, he holds the second position globally among players born in 2015, showcasing his immense talent and potential.

One of Aarit’s standout moments in the tournament was a draw against 12-year-old International Master Oro Faustino of Argentina, who is often referred to as the ‘Messi of Chess.’ This encounter further solidified Aarit’s reputation as a formidable player on the international stage.

Adding to his accolades, Aarit previously held reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen to a draw during the ‘Early Titled Tuesday’ online tournament, demonstrating his ability to compete with the best.

As Aarit continues to break barriers in the chess world, his journey serves as an inspiration for young players across India and beyond.

Shivika Rohilla Achieves Woman International Master Title

In another significant achievement for Indian chess, 18-year-old Shivika Rohilla has earned the title of Woman International Master (WIM) after drawing with IM Rudolf Sertic of Croatia in the final round of the First Saturday chess tournament in Budapest.

Shivika, who secured her first norm earlier this year, faced challenges in her pursuit of the final norm over the past ten tournaments but persevered to achieve this milestone. Scoring 4.5 points out of nine games, she not only met the WIM rating requirements but also saw a notable rise in her overall rating.

With aspirations to complete her Woman Grandmaster title, Shivika joins the ranks of Delhi’s chess elite, following in the footsteps of Tania Sachdev and Sachi Jain, who were the first two players from the city to achieve the WIM title.

Tamil Nadu Surfers Crowned National Champions

In an exhilarating finale at the Little Andaman Pro 2026, Tamil Nadu’s Sivaraj Babu and Kamali Moorthy emerged as national champions in their respective categories. The event, hosted by the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism in collaboration with the Surfing Federation of India, showcased thrilling performances over three days of intense competition.

Sivaraj clinched the National Champion title in the Men’s Open Final with a score of 13.63, narrowly defeating Srikanth D, who scored 13.33. Meanwhile, Kamali Moorthy delivered a dominant performance in the Women’s Open Final, successfully defending her title with a score of 15.83, leaving her closest competitor, Sugar Shanti Banarse, trailing by 4.19 points.

In the Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Sprint events, Sekar Pachai and Vijayalakshmi Irulappan also secured top podium positions, highlighting Tamil Nadu’s prowess in surfing.

Arjun and Aditya Singh Win India’s First Gold at US Open Pickleball Championship

In a historic moment for Indian pickleball, brothers Arjun and Aditya Singh claimed gold in the U/18 boys doubles at the US Open Pickleball Championship 2026, defeating top seeds Ryder Brown and Soli Messiri in straight sets (11-1, 11-5).

This victory marks India’s first gold medal in the tournament, showcasing the growing popularity of pickleball in the country. The brothers expressed their gratitude to their supporters and the Indian Pickleball Association for this opportunity.

In the women’s singles category, Naga Moksha secured a bronze medal, contributing to India’s successful debut in the championship held in Naples, Florida.

Hockey Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh Hockey Claim National Titles

In the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026, Hockey Jharkhand successfully defended their title, defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh in a thrilling final. Sewani Kerketta scored the decisive goal in the dying minutes, securing a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Hockey triumphed in the Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026, overcoming Hockey Madhya Pradesh with a convincing 5-2 win. Skipper Ketan Kushwaha opened the scoring early, and Uttar Pradesh maintained control throughout the match.

These victories highlight the growing strength of hockey in India, with both teams showcasing exceptional talent and determination on the national stage.