Ashish Limaye (Photo by TOI) The eighth edition of the Tech Word News Sports Awards will be held on March 21, 2026 in Lucknow and will celebrate the achievements of India’s best sportspersons in various disciplines. The awards recognize performances from 1 January to 31 December 2025 and recognize outstanding displays at world championships and major international competitions. Comprising more than 45 categories, TOISA highlights both established champions and emerging talents who have brought pride to the nation through exceptional performances throughout the year.The winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprising some of India’s most famous sports icons. Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, hockey legend PR Sreejesh, former cricket team captain Mithali Raj, Paralympic great Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis stalwart Sharath Kamal and tennis icon Leander Paes will judge the nominees across categories, ensuring a credible and expert assessment of excellence in Indian sport.The equestrian nominations reflect India’s growing strength in the discipline on the continental stage. Ashish Limaye made history by winning individual eventing gold at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships – India’s first ever individual gold at the event – and also helped the country secure team silver. Veteran rider Shruti Vora enjoyed an outstanding campaign with three silver medals in dressage events, while Divyakriti Singh played a key role in the Indian team’s dressage silver and continued to rank among the top Asian riders. Together, their performances highlighted an unforgettable year for Indian equestrian sports.Here are the nominees for Equestrian on TO ISA 2025:Ashish LimayeDate of birth: November 22, 1993Place of Birth: Pune, MaharashtraSports: EquestrianMajor achievements in 2025:FEI Asian Equestrian Championships: Gold (Individuals – Eventing), Silver (Teams – Eventing)Ashish Limaye spearheaded India’s eventing success with a landmark at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships, winning the individual gold medal and carving his name in history as the first ever individual gold medalist at the event. He also played a key role in leading India to a team silver in the all-around, joining forces with Shashank Singh Kataria and Shashank Kanmuri to secure a memorable podium finish for the nation.Shruti VoraDate of birth: January 6, 1971Place of Birth: Kolkata, West BengalSports: EquestrianMajor achievements in 2025:FEI Asian Equestrian Championships: Three silver medals (Individuals – Dressage; Dressage Intermediate Freestyle-I; Team Dressage)Shruti Vora enjoyed an outstanding 2025 season highlighted by an impressive medal haul at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships in Pattaya, Thailand. The 55-year-old veteran secured three silver medals in dressage – one in the individual discipline, another in the intermediate freestyle-I and the third in the team competition. Vora combined with Divyakriti Singh and Gaurav Pundir to propel India to a podium finish in the team competition to cap off a memorable continental campaign.Divyakriti SinghDate of birth: October 22, 1999Place of Birth: Jaipur, RajasthanSports: EquestrianMajor achievements in 2025:FEI Asian Equestrian Championships: Silver (Team Dressage)Divyakriti Singh played a key role in India’s silver in the team dressage at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships, further cementing her place among the country’s most respected riders. With this podium finish, she became the only Indian rider to win medals at both the Asian Games and the Asian Championships. Earlier in May 2025, Divyakriti returned to the top spot in Asia in the Global Dressage Rankings for 2024–25 published by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the sport’s global governing body.
