The eighth edition of The Times of India Sports Awards will be held on March 21, 2026 in Lucknow, celebrating the achievements of India’s best sportspersons in various fields. The awards recognize performances from 1 January to 31 December 2025, honoring standout displays at world championships and major international events. Featuring over 45 categories, TOISA highlights both established champions and emerging talents who have made the nation proud through exceptional performances throughout the year.The winners will be selected by an eminent jury consisting of famous sports icons of India. 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 Pace will judge the nominees in various categories, ensuring a credible and expert assessment of Indian Port.The equestrian nominees reflect India’s growing strength in the discipline on the continental stage. Ashish Lemme created history at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships by winning the individual gold in the event – India’s first individual gold in the event – and also helped the team to silver. Veteran rider Shruti Vora enjoyed a stellar campaign with three silver medals in the dressage discipline, while Divyakarti Singh played a key role in Team India’s dressage silver and continues to rank among Asia’s top riders. Together, their performances highlighted a monumental year for Indian equestrian sport.Here are the nominees for horse riding. TOISA 2025:Ashish LemmeDate of Birth: 22 November 1993Place of Birth: Pune, MaharashtraSports: EquestrianKey achievements in 2025:FEI Asian Equestrian Championships: Gold (Individual – Eventing), Silver (Team – Eventing)Ashish Lemme led India’s success in the event with a historic performance at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships, winning the individual gold medal and making history as the country’s first individual gold medalist in the event. He was also instrumental in leading India to team silver in the event, teaming up with Shashank Singh Kataria and Shashank Kanmuri to secure a memorable podium finish for the nation.Shruti VoraDate of Birth: 6 January 1971Place of Birth: Kolkata, West BengalSports: EquestrianKey achievements in 2025:FEI Asian Equestrian Championships: Three silver medals (Individual – Dressage; Dressage Intermediate Freestyle-I; Team Dressage)Shruti Vora enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, highlighted by a medal at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships in Pattaya, Thailand. Competing in dressage, the veteran 55-year-old bagged three silver medals – one in the individual event, the second in the Intermediate Freestyle-I, and the third in the team event. Vora teamed up with Divyakarti Singh and Gaurav Pandir to lead India to a podium finish in the team event, capping off a memorable continental campaign.Devikriti SinghDate of Birth: 22 October 1999Place of Birth: Jaipur, RajasthanSports: EquestrianKey achievements in 2025:FEI Asian Equestrian Championships: Silver (Team Dressage)Divyakarti Singh was instrumental in India’s silver medal win in team dressage at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championships, further cementing her place among the country’s most successful riders. With this podium finish, she became the only Indian equestrian to have won medals at both the Asian Games and the Asian Championships. Earlier in May 2025, Divyakriti reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in Asia in the World Dressage Rankings for 2024-25, published by the sport’s world governing body, Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
