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First Post
17-07-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Breaking barriers, smashing limits: Lakshmi Jadala qualifies for Special Olympics 2027
Lakshmi Jadala won all three of his matches at the National Tennis Championship 2025 (Disability Sports) held in Gwalior to officially qualify for the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Cairo. read more Lakshmi Jadala is Asia's top-ranked para-tennis player and will be aiming to scale another summit at the Special Olympic Games in Cairo two years from now. Image credit: Adani Sportsline In a resounding testament to grit, grace, and unshakable spirit, 15-year-old Lakshmi Jadala, Asia's top-ranked para lawn tennis player with an intellectual disability, clinched the Gold medal at the National Tennis Championship 2025 (Disability Sports) held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, from 10 to 14 July . With this triumphant win, Jadala has officially qualified for the Special Olympics World Games 2027, set to take place in Cairo, Egypt. Competing in the U-17 junior category, Jadala was unstoppable—winning all three of his matches in straight sets and showcasing a mastery on court that belied his age and the obstacles he's overcome. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A promising athlete under the 'Garv Hai' initiative — Adani Sportsline's flagship programme to identify, support, and nurture sporting talent across India — Jadala's journey is not just one of sporting excellence, but one of extraordinary courage. 'To win this tournament and represent India at the Special Olympics is a dream come true,' said an elated Jadala. 'I'm especially thankful to Adani Sportsline and the Garv Hai programme for their constant support and belief in me. I'm now looking forward to my preparations for the World Games.' Born with an intellectual disability, he didn't let labels define him. With every swing of his racquet, he has smashed through stereotypes, refusing to let his disability dictate the boundaries of his potential. His historic participation in international tournaments and consistent victories mark him as a trailblazer in para-sport. The 'Garv Hai' initiative is playing a crucial role in the teenager's development — offering him professional coaching, travel support, and holistic athlete management. The programme is a beacon for inclusivity in Indian sport, enabling both abled and differently-abled athletes to pursue global excellence. With eyes now set on Cairo 2027, Jadala is not just preparing for the next tournament—he's preparing to make history. Dreams of playing in the Australian Open and achieving a top world ranking are no longer distant aspirations, but tangible goals, backed by the strength of an initiative that believes in him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NDTV
17-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Adani Sportslines Lakshmi Jadala Qualifies For Special Olympics 2027
Adani Sportsline's 15-year-old Lakshmi Jadala, Asia's top-ranked para lawn tennis player with an intellectual disability, clinched the gold medal at the National Tennis Championship 2025 (Disability Sports) held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. With this triumphant win, Jadala has officially qualified for the Special Olympics World Games 2027, set to take place in Cairo, Egypt. Competing in the U-17 junior category, Jadala was unstoppable - winning all three of his matches in straight sets and showcasing a mastery on court that belied his age and the obstacles he's overcome. A promising athlete under the 'Garv Hai' initiative - Adani Sportsline's flagship programme to identify, support and nurture sporting talent across India - Jadala's journey is not just one of sporting excellence, but one of extraordinary courage. 'To win this tournament and represent India at the Special Olympics is a dream come true,' said an elated Jadala. 'I'm especially thankful to Adani Sportsline and the Garv Hai programme for their constant support and belief in me. I'm now looking forward to my preparations for the World Games.' Born with an intellectual disability, he didn't let labels define him. With every swing of his racquet, he has smashed through stereotypes, refusing to let his disability dictate the boundaries of his potential. His historic participation in international tournaments and consistent victories mark him as a trailblazer in para-sport. The 'Garv Hai' initiative, by Adani Sportsline, is playing a crucial role in the teenager's development - offering him professional coaching, travel support and holistic athlete management. The programme is a beacon for inclusivity in Indian sport, enabling both abled and differently-abled athletes to pursue global excellence. With eyes now set on Cairo 2027, Jadala is not just preparing for the next tournament - he's preparing to make history. Dreams of playing in the Australian Open and achieving a top world ranking are no longer distant aspirations, but tangible goals, backed by the strength of an initiative that believes in him.
News18
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
15-Year-Old Lakshmi Jadala Qualifies For Special Olympics World Games 2027
15-year-old Lakshmi Jadala is Asia's top para lawn tennis player and won Gold at the National Tennis Championship 2025. In a remarkable display of determination, elegance, and indomitable spirit, 15-year-old Lakshmi Jadala, Asia's top-ranked para lawn tennis player with an intellectual disability, secured the Gold medal at the National Tennis Championship 2025 (Disability Sports), held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, from 10 to 14 July. This victory qualifies Jadala for the Special Olympics World Games 2027, scheduled to be held in Cairo, Egypt. Competing in the U-17 junior category, Jadala dominated his opponents by winning all three of his matches in straight sets, demonstrating a level of skill and control on the court that far exceeds his age and the challenges he has faced. Jadala has not only achieved sporting excellence but also showcased extraordinary courage. 'To win this tournament and represent India at the Special Olympics is a dream come true," said Jadala. 'I'm now looking forward to my preparations for the World Games," he added. Who Is Lakshmi Jadala? Born with an intellectual disability, Jadala has defied stereotypes and refused to let his disability limit his potential. His historic participation in international tournaments and consistent victories establish him as a pioneer in para-sport. With his sights set on Cairo 2027, Jadala is not merely preparing for another tournament; he is preparing to make history. Dreams of competing in the Australian Open and achieving a top world ranking are now realistic goals, supported by an initiative that believes in him. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maryland will host the 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open. Here's what to know.
The newest United States Golf Association championship is coming to Maryland for the first time. Woodmont Country Club in Rockville will host the fourth U.S. Adaptive Open Championship starting Monday and lasting through Wednesday. Here's what you need to know about the unique event's first visit to Maryland. Advertisement What is the U.S. Adaptive Open? The championship, which began in 2022, showcases the world's best golfers with disabilities. There are eight impairment categories included in the event: Upper limb impairment Lower limb impairment Multiple limb amputee Vision impairment Intellectual impairment Coordination impairment Seated players Short stature To enter, golfers need a World Ranking for Golfers with Disability pass. The process of receiving a pass involves certification, confirming that a player has an impairment that severely impacts their ability to play golf. The end result of the qualification process is one of the most inspiring golf tournaments in the world. 'I feel like I've learned a lot more inspiring stories than mine,' joked Cassie Sengul, a 19-year-old Virginian with cerebral palsy. 'It's really cool to see how everybody can play and adapt to the game. We all want to see each other win. It's really special to see.' Advertisement Sengul competed in the 2024 championship, and she's back in 2025 as a rising sophomore competing at Drew University in New Jersey. She's one of 96 players who qualified into the field, which had 260 tournament applicants. When is the tournament? The tournament begins on Monday and will run through Wednesday, with practice rounds this weekend. Here's the full schedule of events for the week: Saturday, practice round Sunday, practice round Monday, Round 1 Tuesday, Round 2 Wednesday, Round 3 There will be a 36-hole cut after Tuesday's round, trimming the field to the top 20 and ties for men and top 10 and ties for women. Additionally, the top three men and ties and top two women and ties from each impairment category will advance to Wednesday's final round of play. Any player within five strokes of their impairment category leader will also move onto Wednesday's third round. Advertisement Where is the tournament? Woodmont Country Club's South Course will play host to the tournament, with four sets of tees in play — it's the only USGA championship that utilizes different sets of tees for participants. The shortest tees will play 4,402 yards, while the longest set of tees will play 6,429 yards. The South Course was redesigned in 2023 by Joel Weiman, and it presents players with a unique test of golf. The course's redesign was completed with accessibility in mind. During the event, pin placements will be in accessible areas of greens, ensuring players in the field don't have difficulty moving near the hole. Bunkers on the course all have 'sand ramps' into them, ensuring that all players can access the hazard without needing to step up or down. The course's bunkering looks more like what you'd see in Australia compared to a typical U.S. course, with bunkers often cutting directly into greens rather than being separated with an area of rough. Advertisement The 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open marks the second time Woodmont will host a USGA Championship. The venue hosted the 2020 U.S. Women's Amateur. Woodmont will also host the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open. The first two U.S. Adaptive Opens were held in North Carolina, and the 2024 event took place in Kansas. Can I buy tickets or watch on TV? Admission into the tournament is free and fans don't need tickets to enter. For those attending in person, parking is available on site at 1201 Rockville Pike in Rockville. Because of limited parking, tournament officials encourage carpooling and ride sharing. For the first time, the final round of the championship will also air live on TV. From 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Golf Channel will broadcast the final round of the tournament. Golf Channel will feature highlights and live look-ins from the event during the first two rounds. Advertisement The USGA will also have coverage of the event, including live scoring and video highlights available on Related Articles Who's in the field? The field consists of 96 players, including three Marylanders — Vince Biser (Towson, coordination impairment), Jack Bonifant (Sandy Spring, coordination impairment), and Ford Martin (Potomac, coordination impairment). The three Maryland natives are among the best players in the field, with Martin and Bonifant finishing fifth and 11th in the 2024 event, respectively. Biser, a 37 year old who swings one-handed, is a 3.5 handicap who regularly scores in the 70s. Advertisement Bonifant played collegiately at James Madison University, and the 35 year old is a +0.2 handicap. Martin, 32, hits the ball well over 300 yards off the tee with a 120 mph swing speed, and he's listed as a +0.6 handicap. In his second year in the event, Martin hopes lessons learned from 2024 will lead to him winning the 2025 men's championship. Martin, who now lives in Tennessee but maintains a membership at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, has worked hard on his wedge game in advance of the championship. He's eager to showcase his improving skillset in his home state. 'It means everything,' Martin said. 'It's as close to a home game as I could possibly have. Growing up in Maryland and still having my family here, it means the world just to be able to represent and hopefully play well.' Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@ 410-332-6200 and
