Isharani Baruah made it to the quarterfinals of Syed Modi International (BAI)

NEW DELHI: When Isharani Baruah looks at India’s badminton squad for the Asian Games, she doesn’t see a team overawed by Asia’s traditional powerhouses.The 22-year-old from Assam will make her Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya, stepping into a squad that brings together the experience of two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and the emergence of youngsters such as Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda and the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.For Isharani, the journey to this stage began almost by accident. Growing up in Dibrugarh, she was a regular fixture among the boys playing different kinds of sport in her neighbourhood. A neighbour noticed her enthusiasm and suggested badminton to her mother. There was no sporting pedigree at home, no elaborate plan for a career in badminton — just a young girl, a racquet and an opportunity that changed the course of her life.India’s medal ambitions in Aichi-Nagoya come against a backdrop of steady progress on the Asian circuit. The gap with China, Japan and other established powers may still exist, but Indian players are increasingly finding themselves on the latter stages of tournaments rather than merely entering them.For Isharani, the evidence is there week after week.“If you see the Super 100 and Super 300 tournaments, there are always three or four Indians reaching the quarterfinals or semifinals. Even in the 500s, we’re competing well. Badminton has definitely grown in India, and we’re going to reach the level of countries like China and Japan quite soon. We’re ready to challenge these powerhouses at the Asian Games,” she said.Her own rise has followed that same route. Consistent performances on the lower-tier circuit have helped her climb the rankings and, more importantly, exposed her to opponents from the badminton-heavy nations of Asia.“To reach the Super 750 and 1000 events, you first have to perform in the 100s and 300s because that’s how you earn ranking points. Playing against Chinese and Japanese opponents there and beating them gives us confidence before the bigger tournaments,” Isharani said.But perhaps the biggest change in her game has not been technical. It has been between the ears. Once prone to tightening up after mistakes, Isharani has learned to treat composure as part of her game plan. The smile that often appears on court is not simply an expression of enjoyment; it has become a way of resetting herself.“For me, the most important thing is to enjoy playing. Even if I’m making mistakes, I don’t want to become tense because then I lose focus on the next point. I keep smiling, I talk to my coaches more, and I trust the process,” she said.

Ciryl Gane has been elevated to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion and will defend the title against Josh Hokit in November.

In the main event of UFC 334, Gane makes his first defence of the belt as he fights a controversial opponent in Hokit, who is known for playing a WWE-style character.

The news comes after UFC president Dana White “misspoke” on Friday, per the promotion’s ringside commentary team on Saturday, with White having said that Gane would not be upgraded.

Last October, Gane failed to take the undisputed belt from Tom Aspinall in their fight, with the Frenchman’s multiple eye pokes forcing a no-contest in round one. Those fouls also led Aspinall to undergo numerous surgeries, and he is still not fully healthy; as such, he vacated the undisputed title this week.

With Gane having won the interim belt in June – by stopping Alex Pereira at the White House – he has now been elevated to undisputed champion after Aspinall’s decision.

Gane, 36, therefore becomes the UFC’s first-ever undisputed champion, having twice reigned as an interim-title holder.

Gane vs Hokit will take place at Madison Square Garden, with the co-main event being a reorganised title fight between champion Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. All-time great Nunes will come out of retirement to challenger her former teammate for the women’s bantamweight belt.

Even Gane’s interim-title win in June was controversial, with many fans believing he landed numerous illegal blows to the back of Pereira’s head.

Money in the Bank is the next big WWE PLE on the calendar. Worlds Collide takes place next weekend, but it’s not as important to everyday operations as Money in the Bank.

The ladder matches provide a star with the opportunity to become a World Champion. Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams have qualified for the men’s match.

Solo Sikoa, Dominik Mysterio, and Dragon Lee will battle for a spot on RAW. CM Punk, Gunther, and Finn Balor do the same on next week’s SmackDown.

Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, and Jacy Jayne made it to the women’s ladder match. Roxanne Perez faces IYO SKY and AAA’s La Catalina in another qualifier on the upcoming episode of RAW.

Charlotte Flair, Lash Legend, and Giulia have a chance to qualify on SmackDown. Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against LA Knight is currently the only other match booked for the show.

Some booking decisions have been headscratchers. WWE has already made the next five mistakes with Money in the Bank.

#5. Using stars from other brands in qualifying matches

WWE has done this mostly with qualifiers for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Sol Ruca beat Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri to advance. RAW’s other two triple threats have utilized stars from other brands.

Lola Vice debuted in a qualifier by beating NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Raquel Rodriguez. AAA’s La Catalina will face Roxanne Perez and IYO SKY on RAW.

The final triple threat is weaving in a match for next weekend’s Worlds Collide show. Becky Lynch, Ivy Nile, or Natalya could have been used instead. Lynch could have still lost and pivoted to facing Liv Morgan or Stephanie Vaquer. Using a few names from other brands usually means those stars won’t advance.

#4. Too many newcomers qualified

The best field of Money in the Bank competitors is a blend of one or two younger stars mixed with several veterans. The veterans could be stars like LA Knight who’ve never captured a major WWE Title, or others like Finn Balor and Kevin Owens who haven’t held major gold in years.

Naomi gained steam by turning heel last year. Picking her to win made sense since she hadn’t won a major title in years. The stars who’ve already qualified are either under 30 or relatively new to the main roster.

Only Bron Breakker has been around for more than a few years. Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams joined RAW and SmackDown in early 2026. Sol Ruca and Jacy Jayne debuted after WrestleMania 42. Lola Vice debuted in her qualifying match and won.

Other than Breakker, those names shouldn’t win the case. It is a way to represent the future, but those spots could have gone to other names that are closer to being World Champions.

#3. Trick Williams advances over Randy Orton

SmackDown’s first qualifier pitted Randy Orton against United States Champion Trick Williams and AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix. Fenix was in the match to eat the pin.

Since Williams currently holds the United States Title and is feuding with Baron Corbin, it would have made much more sense for Corbin to cost Trick the match. Interference is legal under triple threat rules.

Orton has mentioned winning a 15th title numerous times over the last three years. Putting him in Money in the Bank would have at least given the illusion that he could win it via the case.

Trick should be focusing on rebuilding the US Title after a mediocre run with the title. The belt feels more like a prop and a joke. It’s lost a lot of prestige in a year due to match quality and ending the US Open Challenges.

#2. WWE doesn’t put Bayley in a qualifier

Bayley returned to RAW during Lyra Valkyria’s Money in the Bank triple threat. She missed the previous six weeks to sell Lyra’s attack following their match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July.

The former Hugger paid Lyra back by costing her a chance to qualify for this year’s Money in the Bank. WWE has felt the need to use stars from other brands, but why isn’t Bayley in a qualifier?

She’s one of the best workers and biggest stars in the division. Lyra could have cost her in her triple threat. If she’s back on RAW, use her.

#1. Putting current champions in the qualifiers

WWE has done this with Money in the Bank qualifiers and King of the Ring tournament matches. Champions should focus on their titles. It’s the easiest thing to book.

If a champion advances, it takes an opportunity away from a different star that could use it. Where’s Carmelo Hayes? He could have been in Trick’s triple threat instead. WWE could have used Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura, or Corbin.

Jordan, Rodriguez, La Catalina, Jayne, Williams, and Breakker all hold titles. Breakker is a tag champion, and WWE doesn’t focus much on those belts. Putting so many champions into triple threats often means one will lose or be pinned. This happened when Vice pinned Rodriguez to advance.