As India celebrates National Sports Day on 29th August, we shine a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements that define India’s sporting legacy with the Limca Book of Records. As a nation that celebrates each victory like a festival, we revel in the glory of our athletes who sprint, soar and score to make history. From setting new world records to inspiring generations, Indian athletes consistently push the boundaries of excellence to earn their place in India’s first-ever record book, now in its 33rd edition. The Limca Book of Records commemorates these awe-inspiring milestones, capturing the essence of our country’s passion for sports, and igniting a spark of determination in the hearts of millions of readers.
Join us as we dive into the latest edition and catch a glimpse of the sporting excellence that leaps off the page, showcasing the unbeatable spirit that truly makes India a powerhouse of talent.
- First Indian fencer to win a medal at the Asian Fencing Championships – C.A. Bhavani Devi became the first Indian fencer to win a medal at the Asian Fencing Championships by winning the bronze medal in 2023.
- Most medals won by a female athlete at the Asian Games –Shooting
Shooter Esha Singh, an 18-year-old pistol shooter from Telangana, emerged as the most successful athlete in terms of medals won at the Asian Games 2023. She won a total of four medals: a gold in the women’s 25 m pistol team event, and three silvers in the 25 m air pistol (individual), 10 m air pistol (individual), and 10 m air pistol (team) events. Her incredible performance has set a new benchmark for young athletes in the country.
- Most runs in a single cricket World Cup edition
Virat Kohli became the batter to score the most runs in a single World Cup edition with 765 runs in 2023, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s earlier record of 673 runs in 2003.
- First pair to win the mixed doubles gold medal in squash in the Asian Games
Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu became the first pair to win the mixed doubles gold medal in squash at the Asian Games 2022.
- First to finish among podium places at Diamond League – long jump
Murali Sreeshankar, a long jumper from Kerala, made history by becoming the first Indian long jumper to secure a podium finish at a Diamond League event. He finished third at the Paris Diamond League 2023 with an impressive leap of 8.09 meters. This achievement places him alongside discus thrower Vikas Gowda and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra as one of the few Indians to earn a top-three finish in Diamond Leagues.
- Longest Bakasana
Virendra Vikram Singh (b. 2 December 1954) from Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, performed the Bakasana (crane pose) for 5 mins from 6:10 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on 16 May 2022 at the M.P.P Inter college, Balrampur.
- Youngest World Champion – Archery
Teen archer Aditi Swami became the youngest-ever senior world champion in the World Cup era (2006 onwards) at the age of 17 when she won the gold medal at the World Archery Championships 2023 in Berlin, Germany.
- Fastest GQ expedition – group – Women
Sukraty Saxena, Rupam Devedi, Swaranjali Saxena, and Apala Rajvanshi completed the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) expedition, covering a distance of 6,263 km in 6 days 14 hrs 5 mins. They started their expedition at 1:35 a.m. on 10 May 2023 from India Gate, New Delhi, and concluded it at 4:30 p.m. on 16 May 2023 at Subroto Park Air Force Station, New Delhi.
- Adventure (WR): Youngest in the world to complete the Ocean’s Seven Challenge
Prabhat Koli (b. 27 July 1999) from Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, became the youngest person in the world, at the age of 23, to complete the Ocean’s Seven Challenge on 1 March 2023. He completed the challenge in 8 hrs 41 mins, crossing the Cook Strait between New Zealand’s North and South Islands amid bad weather. He is also the recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (2018).
Vatsala Kaul Banerjee, Consulting Editor, Limca Book of Records, and Publisher, Hachette India, said, “The Limca Book of Records continues to honour the incredible journeys of India’s athletes who define the nation’s sporting spirit and reshape the contours of its achievements. Each record is a story of perseverance and passion, inspiring readers to dream big and push the boundaries.”
Ruchira Bhattacharya, Senior Director, Marketing – Hydration, Sports and Tea Category, India and South-West Asia Operating Unit at The Coca-Cola Company, said, “Celebrating these milestones in the Limca Book of Records highlights the extraordinary determination of our athletes. Their success is a powerful reminder that, with focus and effort, greatness is always within reach—an ethos that resonates deeply with our mission to support active, healthy lifestyles.”
