May is proving to be an exciting month for Indian sports fans, with athletes across disciplines delivering strong performances on the international stage. From table tennis thrillers to record-breaking sprints and historic javelin throws, the action-packed season is in full swing. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of key moments and results from May 17, 2025.
Quiet Day, Big Expectations: IPL Returns and Neeraj’s Diamond League Push
Though May 17 was relatively calm on the Indian sports front, with the Indian Premier League making its much-anticipated comeback, all eyes remained on Indian athletes competing overseas. One of the highlights was Neeraj Chopra’s stellar performance at the Doha Diamond League, where he broke the elusive 90-meter javelin barrier, a milestone that has long symbolized entry into the elite echelons of the sport. We will delve deeper into Neeraj’s achievement and what it signals for his 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Indian table tennis players opened their World Championship campaigns with encouraging results, save for a solitary defeat that stood out as a rare setback. Let’s explore the details from the ITTF World Championships and beyond.
Table Tennis World Championships: Sreeja Akula’s Surprise Defeat Amidst Indian Success
India’s top-ranked player, Sreeja Akula, faced an unexpected early exit at the World Table Tennis Championships, bowing out in the first round. After winning the opening game, Sreeja succumbed to Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut in four consecutive games (1-4: 11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 5-11, 2-11). Her loss was marked by a string of unforced errors, which ultimately cost her the match in just 33 minutes.
Despite this stumble, the Indian contingent showcased resilience and skill across the board. The dynamic Mukherjee sisters, Ayhika and Sutirtha, clinched a nail-biting 3-2 victory over the Turkish duo Ozge Yilmaz and Ece Harac, ending a frustrating six-match losing streak at the World Championships. Their triumph (4-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7) was a morale booster, signaling India’s growing strength in the doubles event.
Similarly, the pairings of Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghodpade, as well as Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah, made smooth progress with wins in their respective doubles matches. Diya and Yashaswini overcame Uzbekistan’s Magdieva and Erkebaeva 3-1 (9-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8), showing remarkable composure after losing a closely contested first game. Thakkar and Shah continued their dominant form with a straight-games 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-6) victory over the Slovenian team of Deni Kozul and Peter Hribar.
In singles, Manush Shah started his campaign positively with a 4-2 win over Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia, while Diya Chitale cruised into the second round with an emphatic 4-0 sweep against Spain’s Sofia-Xuan Zhang. The overall performance demonstrated India’s depth and growing prowess on the global table tennis stage, signaling potential breakthroughs in upcoming rounds.
Athletics Spotlight: Animesh Kujur’s Sprint Dominance at Indian Grand Prix 2
Indian athletics continued to shine, as Odisha’s sprint sensation Animesh Kujur reaffirmed his status as the fastest man in the country. At the Indian Grand Prix 2 held in Thiruvananthapuram, the 21-year-old shattered expectations by winning both the 100m and 200m events in commanding fashion.
Kujur clocked a 10.31-second 100m sprint, showcasing his explosive speed and sharp acceleration. More impressively, he secured the 200m title with a time of 20.55 seconds, coming close to his national record of 20.40 seconds set earlier this year in Kochi. His personal best in the 100m stands at an impressive 10.27 seconds.
These results not only underline Kujur’s current dominance in Indian sprinting but also set the stage for him to challenge internationally as the season progresses. His progression offers hope for India’s athletics contingent ahead of major global events later this year.
Neeraj Chopra Breaks the 90-Meter Barrier — A New Chapter Begins
The biggest talking point of the day was Neeraj Chopra’s historic performance at the Doha Diamond League. After years of meticulous preparation and fierce competition, Chopra finally crossed the elusive 90-meter mark with a throw measuring 90.23m. Although he finished second, edged out by Julian Weber’s dramatic last throw of 91.06m, Chopra’s achievement marks a significant milestone in his career. The 90-meter barrier is as much a mental milestone as a physical one, and surpassing it opens up new possibilities for Chopra’s competitive trajectory.
With this breakthrough, Neeraj appears poised to scale even greater heights in 2025. Analysts and fans alike agree this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for India’s star javelin thrower. His ability to consistently breach the 90m mark will be pivotal as he eyes medals at the World Championships and the Paris Olympics.
Looking Ahead: Indian Sports in May and Beyond
May continues to be a crucial month for Indian sports, with the IPL back in action and a host of international competitions underway. Indian athletes are making significant strides, signaling a strong year ahead.
From the determination shown by the Indian table tennis squad to the sprinting brilliance of Animesh Kujur and the historic feats of Neeraj Chopra, Indian sports fans have much to cheer about. As the season unfolds, the country’s athletes will seek to convert these early successes into lasting legacies on the global stage. Stay tuned for further updates, reactions, and expert analysis as Indian sports continue to make headlines throughout 2025.
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