The Year That Was: Beyond the podium — India’s ambition under spotlight

Indian Olympian Neeraj Chopra. (File Photo) As India prepares for CWG 2030 and harbours ambitions of hosting the 2036 Olympics, a hard look is needed at where Indian sport stands. It’s not common for Neeraj Chopra to finish eighth at the World Championships, but if there’s anything Indian sports fans, spoiled by his unerring consistency, will remember 2025 for, it may well be for the double Olympic medallist looking his most vulnerable. Interestingly, it was also the year Chopra breached the 90m barrier for the first time -- it’s just been that kind of year. The year after the Olympics is usually subdued with most athletes going back to the drawing board to recalibrate strategies for the new...