Sports fans, get ready! The year 2026 is shaping up to be incredible for new athletic talent. Across football, basketball, athletics, and other major sports, emerging athletes are breaking records, turning heads, and inspiring the next generation.
At The News Ink, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 breakthrough athletes you need to watch this year, along with their achievements, potential, and why they’re making headlines.
1. Arshad Nadeem — Javelin (Pakistan)
One of the world’s most exciting throwers — Nadeem won multiple international medals and a Global Breakthrough Athlete Award after throwing over 92.97 m in 2024 and securing gold at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games.
2. Tanvi Sharma — Badminton (India)
At just 16, Sharma made history by reaching the final of a BWF World Junior Championship, and has since reached finals and semifinals at major BWF tour events. She’s seen as a rising star in world badminton.
3. Suruchi Phogat — Shooting (India)
Phogat had a standout year in 2025 with multiple World Cup gold medals in 10 m air pistol, including wins in Buenos Aires and Doha — establishing herself as a major contender going into 2026.
4. Tyran Stokes — Basketball (USA)
Touted as a consensus five‑star recruit and top‑ranked player in the 2026 class, Stokes is one of the most anticipated young prospects in U.S. basketball — expected to impact college and professional ranks soon.
5. Lottie Woad — Golf (WTGL)
A former world No. 1 amateur with LPGA success, Woad is starring in the new Tech‑infused Golf League and is a rising professional talent in women’s golf.
6. Rose Zhang — Golf (WTGL / LPGA)
Zhang, also a former world No. 1 amateur, has already won on the LPGA Tour and continues to rise in 2026 with league and tour play.
7. Harsh Raut — Athletics (India)
A young sprinter who won bronze and silver medals at the Asian Senior Athletics Championships, signaling a breakthrough on the regional athletics stage.
8. Miro Tabanelli — Freeski (Italy)
Miro became the first Italian man to win a freestyle World Cup event, while his sister Flora has dominated World Cup freeski events — both are among the biggest winter sports prospects for 2026.
9. Flora Tabanelli — Freeski (Italy)
A multiple World Cup winner and Big Air Crystal Globe champion, Flora is one of the top female freeski athletes on the world stage heading into 2026 international competitions.
10. JJ Gabriel — Football (England)
A 15‑year‑old Manchester United academy forward who became the youngest scorer in FA Youth Cup history and is widely regarded as one of football’s most promising teenage talents.
Breakthrough Athletes 2026 at a Glance
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Country | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arshad Nadeem | Javelin | Pakistan | 92.97m throw, Global Breakthrough Award (2025) |
| 2 | Tanvi Sharma | Badminton | India | BWF World Junior finalist |
| 3 | Suruchi Phogat | Shooting | India | Multiple World Cup gold medals |
| 4 | Tyran Stokes | Basketball | USA | #1 ranked 2026 class recruit |
| 5 | Lottie Woad | Golf | WTGL/LPGA | LPGA wins & WTGL star |
| 6 | Rose Zhang | Golf | USA | LPGA Tour success |
| 7 | Harsh Raut | Sprint | India | Medals at Asian Senior Championships |
| 8 | Miro Tabanelli | Freeski | Italy | World Cup event winner |
| 9 | Flora Tabanelli | Freeski | Italy | Multiple World Cup wins |
| 10 | JJ Gabriel | Football | England | Youngest FA Youth Cup scorer |
