The Tech Word News Sports Awards (TOISA) returns for its eighth year and celebrates the achievements and inspirational journeys of India’s top sportspersons. The TOISA 2025 ceremony will be held on March 21, 2026 in Lucknow and will bring together the country’s top sporting icons and rising stars.This edition will recognize performances in more than 45 categories during the judging period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. It has been a remarkable year for Indian sports, marked by outstanding performances at global and continental events.The para sports landscape in India has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, with the country producing champions at major global events such as the Paralympics and Para World Championships.TOISA 2025 will recognize Indian Para athletes in more than 10 award categories, including coaches.In line with India’s achievements in para sports, Uttar Pradesh has produced outstanding para athletes over the years. Due to their strong performances in 2025, four para athletes and two para coaches from the state have been nominated for TOISA 2025 in various categories.Para sprinter Preethi Pal led Uttar Pradesh’s impressive year in para sports, earning nominations in the Para Athlete of the Year (Athletics) and Para Athlete of the Year categories for her two medals at the Para Athletics World Championships.Other UP nominees for TOISA 2025 include Vivek Chikara (Archery), Vaibhav Gautam (Chess), Praveen Kumar (Athletics), Gaurav Khanna (Para Badminton – Coach) and Dr Satyapal Singh (Para Athletics – Coach).Uttar Pradesh Athletes Profiles in TOISA 2025 Nominations:Para Archer of the YearVivek ChikaraDate of birth: January 12, 1990Place of Birth: Meerut, Uttar PradeshSports: Para archeryMajor achievements in 2025:• 2025 Asian Para Archery Championship – Recurve Men’s Open Doubles Silver (with Harvinder Singh)Vivek Chikara won the silver medal alongside Harvinder Singh in the men’s open doubles at the 2025 Asian Para Archery Championships in Beijing, narrowly losing to the Chinese pair in a shoot-out. This was part of India’s strong medal total at the continental event.Para athlete of the yearPreethi Pal (sprinter)Date of birth: September 22, 2000Place of Birth: Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaSport: Para athletics (100m and 200m sprint – classification T35)Major achievements in 2025:World Para Athletics Championships (New Delhi): Silver (100m T35) and Bronze (200m T35)Create a new national record in the 100m T35 category – 14.21 seconds at the 23rd National Para Athletics Championships 2025He finished the 2025 season as world No. 2 in the T35 category at 100 mIn 2025, Preethi Pal enjoyed a breakthrough season that cemented her position as one of India’s premier para-sprinters. As India’s flag bearer at the World Para Athletics Championships, she won silver in the 100m T35 and bronze in the 200m T35 on home soil. She was awarded the Arjuna Award earlier this year. She also set a new national record in the 100m T35 and finished the season as world number 2 in the category.Praveen Kumar (high jump)Date of birth: May 15, 2003Place of Birth: Jewar (Govindgarh), Uttar Pradesh, IndiaSport: Para athletics (high jump)Major achievements in 2025:World Para Athletics Championships (New Delhi): Bronze (High Jump T64)National Para Athletics Championships: GoldIn 2025, Praveen Kumar enhanced his stature with remarkable achievements. In January, he was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khela Ratna, which recognized his Paralympic achievement. He later won bronze in the T64 high jump at the World Para Athletics Championships and won gold at the National Para Athletics Championships.Para chess player of the yearVaibhav GautamDate of birth: November 1, 2002Place of Birth: Uttar Pradesh, IndiaSports: Para chessMajor achievements in 2025:World Championship: SilverVaibhav Gautam achieved a major milestone in 2025 by winning silver in the men’s wheelchair category at the 24th IPCA World Individual Chess Championship in Goa. His podium finish marked a breakthrough year and placed him among the best competitors worldwide in his category.Para-athlete of the yearPreethi Pal (sprinter)Date of birth: September 22, 2000Place of Birth: Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaSport: Para athletics (100m and 200m sprint – classification T35)Major achievements in 2025:World Para Athletics Championships (New Delhi): Silver (100m T35) and Bronze (200m T35)Create a new national record in the 100m T35 category – 14.21 seconds at the 23rd National Para Athletics Championships 2025He finished the 2025 season as world No. 2 in the T35 category at 100 mIn 2025, Preethi Pal enjoyed a breakthrough season that cemented her position as one of India’s premier para-sprinters. As India’s flag bearer at the World Para Athletics Championships, she won silver in the 100m T35 and bronze in the 200m T35 on home soil. She was awarded the Arjuna Award earlier this year. She also set a new national record in the 100m T35 and finished the season as world number 2 in the category.Para coach of the yearGaurav Khanna (Para Badminton)Date of birth: December 11, 1975Place of Birth: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaSport: Para Badminton (Head National Coach)Major achievements in 2025Under his leadership, the Indian Para Badminton team crossed 1000 international medals. He led the team to 23 medals at the 2025 Bahrain Para Badminton International and oversaw stellar performances at events in Thailand and Dubai. He also launched a grassroots coaching program and helped boost the homegrown talent pool.Dr Satyapal Singh (Para Athletics)Date of birth: January 1, 1978Place of Birth: Village Machhli, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaSports: Para Athletics (Coach of Dronacharya and Padma Shri awardees)Major achievements in 2025Dr Satyapal Singh continued his influential role in Indian Para Athletics. His trainee Praveen Kumar was awarded the Khel Ratna award. He played a key role in India’s success at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi and went on to serve as head coach of the Paralympic Committee of India, overseeing a strong medal haul at international events.
