Asia Cup Gold-Medallist Kayaker And Fellow Navy Athlete Killed In Bhopal Road Crash

Last Updated:November 10, 2025, 11:14 IST

Chief Petty Officer Vishnu Raghunathan and Petty Officer Ananth Krishnan died in a hit-and-run in Bhopal while heading to Boat Club.

Chief Petty Officer Vishnu Raghunathan and Petty Officer Ananth Krishnan died in a hit-and-run in Bhopal while heading to Boat Club. (AI Image)

In a tragic hit-and-run early Sunday morning, two Indian Navy personnel — including Asia Cup gold medallist Chief Petty Officer Vishnu Raghunathan (27) and Petty Officer Ananth Krishnan (18) — were killed after their motorcycle was hit by an unidentified speeding vehicle in the Parwalia area of Bhopal.

The accident occurred around 3 a.m., when the two were on their way to the Boat Club for a training session with their naval unit. Police said the motorcycle was struck on the main road near Raksha Bihar Colony, throwing both riders several metres away.

Vishnu Raghunathan, a national kayaking champion from Kerala, had won the gold medal in the 1000m K-2 category at the 2024 Asia Cup in Hong Kong, and was widely regarded as one of India’s brightest kayaking prospects.

According to police, their teammates found both men critically injured and rushed them to a nearby hospital. Vishnu succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission, while Ananth died during treatment later that morning.

A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team recovered blood stains, two helmets, and a broken pole from the crash site, suggesting the collision involved a heavy vehicle. The motorcycle was found completely mangled. Investigators said both victims had been wearing helmets, but the impact was too severe to save them.

Police have registered a case and are reviewing CCTV footage from cameras near the defence colony to identify the vehicle and its driver.

The deaths of the Navy athletes come amid a spate of hit-and-run incidents across Madhya Pradesh over the weekend, underscoring growing concerns over reckless driving.

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News sports Asia Cup Gold-Medallist Kayaker And Fellow Navy Athlete Killed In Bhopal Road Crash

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