Whether it’s the focused Divya Deshmukh plotting her next chess masterstroke, the fearless Vaibhav Suryavanshi sending balls sailing over the boundary, or the record-breaking archer Sheetal Devi drawing her bow with calm precision, India’s teenagers are redefining the game with talent and tenacity that wins podiums, not just applause.
On this National Sports Day, celebrated in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, we spotlight seven such rising stars. They are not only filling the nation with pride but also inspiring countless young dreamers training in dusty akharas, crowded badminton courts and makeshift grounds across the country. Together, they embody the fearless, jubilant spirit of India’s sporting future—already making history before they’ve even turned 20.
1. Aditi Swami – Archery
Seventeen-year-old Aditi Swami etched her name into history as India’s first-ever senior world champion in archery when she struck gold in the women’s compound event at the 2023 World Archery Championships. Coming from Satara, a small town in Maharashtra, her story is one of grit and composure. Aditi loves watching K-Dramas in her downtime, but behind her calm precision on the field lies the umpteen sacrifices her parents continue to make—financial and otherwise—so she can chase her dream. With her world title and team golds in the bag, Aditi has already redefined what Indian archery can achieve on the world map.
2. Anahat Singh – Squash
Anahat Singh is India’s youngest squash sensation. At just 16, she has already won two Asian Championship golds, a World Junior Championship bronze and broken into the top-50 world rankings. Hailing from a family with a strong sporting culture, with both her parents having played hockey and her sister an accomplished squash player, Anahat grew up immersed in sport. Watching PV Sindhu play lit the spark in her, and today, what sets her apart is her ability to stay calm under pressure, often outplaying much older and more experienced opponents. Her unrelenting discipline and focus on the court have made her a role model for young girls aiming to shine in unconventional sports.
3. Pooja Singh – High Jump
Hailing from Haryana, the cradle of countless sportspersons, Pooja Singh is one of India’s brightest track-and-field hopes. She soared into fame by becoming the Asian Champion in women’s high jump (2025), clearing a personal best of 1.89 m—a mark that also earned her the U-20 national record. Pooja’s journey is one of quiet determination; despite limited facilities, she trained relentlessly on uneven village grounds, often without proper equipment. From practicing with haystacks and bamboo poles to clinching her Asian Athletics gold with torn spikes, she has leapt over every obstacle life placed before her—always with a wide, heartfelt smile lighting up her face.
4. Siddharth Choudhary – Shot Put
At just 17, Siddharth Choudhary made headlines by winning gold at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships 2023, hurling the shot to a personal best of 19.52 m. His imposing strength is matched by discipline, with punishing daily routines that have built his world-class form. From a boy who once improvised training with makeshift weights, Siddharth now stands among Asia’s best, embodying the power of persistence and raw determination.
5. Sumit Malik – Wrestling
At just 18, Sumit Malik has wrestled his way into the global spotlight, clinching silver at the U-20 World Wrestling Championships in the fiercely contested 57 kg category. Born to a modest family in Kasanda village, Sonipat, Haryana, his early years were marked by deprivation, running on frugal meals and scarce opportunities. Wrestling mats, shoes and diet supplements were luxuries beyond reach. Yet Sumit found his calling in wrestling—not just as a sport, but as a way to lift his family out of hardship. His resilience turned a 1-10 deficit into a recent victory, as the thought of his father, coach and village gave him the wind to fight back when the referee was ready to stop the contest.
6. Tajamul Islam – Kickboxing
From the remote village of Tarkpora in Bandipora, Kashmir, Tajamul Islam carved her name in history as the world’s youngest kickboxing champion, winning the sub-junior world title at just 7 years old. These massive laurels didn’t come easy, though. Her father, a driver, struggled to support her training, and she often practiced barefoot in makeshift facilities. But Tajamul’s fierce spirit and refusal to give up saw her go on to win gold at the 2021 World Kickboxing Championship in Cairo. Today, she’s more than an athlete; she’s a symbol of defiance against stereotypes, inspiring Kashmiri girls to take up sports once thought impossible.
7. Tirthank Pegu – Swimming
Hailing from Guwahati, Assam, Tirthank Pegu has emerged as one of India’s most promising young swimmers. At just 18, he made headlines by breaking the U-18 national record in the 200 m butterfly at the Junior National Aquatic Championships in Ahmedabad, clocking an impressive time that paved his way to the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
For Assam and the Northeast—regions better known for football, boxing and athletics—Tirthank’s rise in swimming is not just a personal milestone but a breakthrough moment, proving that world-class aquatic talent can emerge from anywhere.
Railway Children India’s Karate Kids
Each of these young champions is proof that when talent meets tenacity, all a child truly needs is the right platform and support. Given that opportunity, they don’t just excel in their chosen sport; they carry the nation’s pride on their shoulders. Beyond medals and records, sports nurture life-changing skills: focus, clarity of thought, discipline, resilience and the spirit of teamwork.
Keeping this in mind, Railway Children India has introduced Karate training sessions across six communities in Delhi. What began as an experiment in channelling children’s energy into something constructive has already borne fruit, with over 50 children winning laurels in local competitions. More importantly, they are learning innumerable life skills, confidence and perseverance and traits that will stay with them far beyond the mat.
