Coming from a town where he once admired athletes whom he only saw on TV, Rishabh Tiwari is now working closely with them. Now just a call away from talented sports stars, he plays a key role in building their brands and enhancing their social media visibility. Through his expertise, he has helped these athletes grow in their careers while ensuring they connect meaningfully with their fans and admirers.

Rishabh Tiwari is making waves in the Indian Sports Talent Management Industry. Currently, he works at TRP Sports Agency, where he spearheads Talent Management to find and develop Olympic athletes. Among the notable athletes under his guidance are Harmeet Desai, Arjuna Awardee Table Tennis Olympian; Krishan Kumar, Three Times National 800 Meters Winner; and Sarthak Chavan, India's prodigy in Motorsports.

In addition to his work in talent management, Rishabh Tiwari plays a vital role in TRP Sports’ digital media operations. He is responsible for managing the social media presence and brand visibility for prominent footballers, including Akash Mishra of the Mumbai City FC, Jeakson Singh from the East Bengal FC, and Ashique Kuruniyan and Deepak Tangri from Mohun Bagan Super Giant. His work involves developing and executing digital strategies, creating brand videos, and ensuring that these athletes’ online presence is impactful and aligned with their personal brands.

Rishabh Tiwari proudly shares some of the major milestones in his career, starting with his first big achievement—landing a role at TRP Sports Agency, where he was entrusted with managing media relations for top-tier athletes. For someone who came from a small town where working with celebrities seemed like an unreachable dream, this was a defining moment in his career. The idea that he could pick up the phone and speak directly with some of India’s most celebrated athletes was surreal for him. Through his dedication and hard work, Rishabh turned that dream into reality, a journey he holds close to his heart.

His second major achievement, which he considers even more significant, is his current role in managing Olympic athletes. This role goes far beyond just signing athletes; it involves scouting, signing, and helping these performers grow both in their careers and their connection with fans. Rishabh explains that part of his role is to showcase the lives of athletes apart from their on-field performances. By highlighting their personal stories and journeys, he helps them connect with a wider audience, showing the world that athletes are much more than what you see on the field.

Tiwari’s professional path began with a background in journalism and mass communication. His passion for sports led him to create his own platform, Indian Football Fan, a YouTube channel dedicated to Indian football, which remains operational even today. Through this platform, Rishabh Tiwari honed his skills, which eventually paved the way for his role at TRP Sports.

Initially, Tiwari joined TRP Sports to oversee their digital media operations, where he quickly began networking with athletes, managing their social media profiles, and exploring sponsorship opportunities. His keen understanding of what brands look for in athletes—particularly on platforms like Instagram—helped him expand his responsibilities within the company. This knowledge, combined with his passion for sports, led to his current role in managing Olympic athletes, while also continuing to lead digital media operations at the agency.

Rishabh Tiwari attributes much of his success to his deep-rooted passion for sports, a passion that has been a driving force throughout his life. As a child, he actively participated in various sports, especially football. However, his love for football came at a cost. He recalls enduring several serious injuries, including a fractured left hand and a fractured left knee, both of which required surgery. Despite these setbacks, Rishabh never lost his enthusiasm for the game. Although he could not pursue a career as a professional footballer, his desire to remain connected to the world of sports only intensified. Today, Rishabh is surrounded by athletes, helping them push their limits, grow in their careers, and achieve new milestones.

Reflecting on the landscape of sports in India, Rishabh Tiwari acknowledges the overwhelming popularity of cricket compared to other sports. While cricket garners the most attention and resources, he believes that players in other disciplines work just as hard and deserve the same level of recognition. His mission is to help raise the profile of these lesser-known sports, ensuring that the athletes involved receive the attention and opportunities they deserve. Rishabh is committed to helping these sports gain visibility and appreciation, much like cricket, and ensuring that all athletes are given a platform to showcase their talents.

Born and raised in Jhansi, a city with a rich historical legacy as the land of Rani Laxmi Bai and Major Dhyan Chand, Rishabh Tiwari completed his schooling up to Class 12 in his hometown. After that, he moved to Bangalore, where he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His educational journey provided him with the tools to combine his love for sports with his growing interest in media and communication, which has been instrumental in his current career.

Reminiscing about his childhood, Tiwari fondly recalls his experiences of playing sports, falling, getting back up, and learning resilience. He believes those moments have always brought him a deep sense of fulfillment. He credits sports with teaching him essential life skills. These lessons have not only shaped his character but have also contributed to his overall satisfaction and success.

Rishabh Tiwari also appreciates the principle of slow gratification, which he believes is intrinsic to sports. Unlike fields where instant success is possible, sports require long-term dedication and perseverance. It can take 15 to 20 years for an athlete to reach a significant milestone, but that slow and steady progress is what Rishabh loves most about the sports world. For him, the journey is as rewarding as the destination, and this mindset has been a cornerstone of his life, both personally and professionally.

When asked about his role models, Rishabh Tiwari names Gaurav Kapur, the creator and host of the popular show ‘Breakfast with Champions.’ He explains that Gaurav’s ability to connect with athletes and showcase their stories beyond the field greatly inspired him. Watching Gaurav delve into the personal lives of athletes on YouTube motivated Rishabh to start his own platform, Indian Football Fan. In the future, he hopes to create a show featuring footballers and other athletes, where he can tell their stories in a way that goes beyond their on-field accomplishments.

Rishabh Tiwari draws motivation from several sports figures and films. One of his biggest inspirations is Virat Kohli. He is also moved by films like ‘Rudy,’ an American movie about a young man overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve his dream of playing football, and Indian sports biopics like ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and ‘Mary Kom.’ Rishabh is eagerly awaiting the release of the Yuvraj Singh biopic, as he finds Yuvraj’s life story—particularly his battle with cancer and his eventual triumph on the field—incredibly inspiring. Having read Yuvraj Singh’s book, Rishabh is deeply moved by Yuvraj’s resilience and perseverance.

Beyond films and sports figures, Rishabh finds inspiration in music. One song that resonates deeply with him is "Hum Kyun Chalein Us Raah Par" by Junaid Jamshed. This song’s message of forging one’s own path reflects Rishabh’s own journey—he originally studied science and even prepared for IIT, but eventually chose an unconventional career in sports talent management. The song reminds him that success does not always come from following a well-trodden path; sometimes, you have to carve your own.

Another song that fuels his drive is "Meri Dastaan" by Taba Chake. The song speaks about the value of perseverance and the importance of never giving up, a message that resonates with Rishabh's own experiences in navigating the ups and downs of the sports industry.

To aspiring professionals who want to work like him in sports talent management, Rishabh Tiwari offers invaluable advice. He believes that anyone can enter the sports industry, regardless of age, as long as they are willing to start from the bottom. Internships, in his opinion, are a crucial first step. He explains that internships can often lead to permanent positions, and even if they do not, the experience gained makes it easier to apply to other companies. Internships, he says, help build the kind of experience that many people typically lack. In fact, he notes that recent college graduates often find themselves doing the same kind of work which an intern does after a  year or two of work experience.

Tiwari stresses that hard work is the key to success in this field. There is no fixed schedule, as some days may require working 12-14 hours due to the demands of the sports season. During these periods, it can feel like there is little room for a personal life because of constant movement. However, the off-season provides an opportunity for a well-deserved break.

His advice is straightforward: seize every opportunity. For those struggling to land a job in the sports industry, Rishabh suggests pursuing internships. Internships provide valuable experience and help develop skills often not covered in traditional education. These are lessons best learned by working in real-world environments.

Rishabh Tiwari also highlights the importance of communication skills, particularly in his field. He says that he often interacts with athletes who have limited time, making clear, concise, and respectful communication essential.

When discussing career opportunities for job seekers, Rishabh Tiwari advises against focusing on money in the early stages. Passion should be the driving force in the sports industry, as financial rewards are not immediate. While the industry may not offer significant monetary returns in the beginning, success and financial growth will come with time and experience. Even at later stages, he emphasizes that money should not be the primary focus—hard work and passion should always come first.

Rishabh Tiwari concludes by expressing his belief that with India’s vast population and talent, the country has the potential to elevate any sport to new heights and bring home more medals and achievements at the highest level.