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Published : Dec 26, 2024 10:08 IST – 7 MINS READ
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Manu Bhaker became the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Games. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
India lifts T20 World Cup title after 17 years
In a thrilling finale that will be etched in memory for years to come, the Indian men’s cricket team made history by defeating South Africa by a nail-biting seven runs to win the ICC T20 World Cup. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
In a thrilling finale that will be etched in memory for years to come, the Indian men’s cricket team made history by defeating South Africa by a nail-biting seven runs to win the ICC T20 World Cup. The victory sparked widespread celebrations across the cricket-crazy nation, with fans pouring onto the streets, waving the Indian tricolour in triumph.
Virat Kohli, who later announced his retirement from T20 internationals, played a crucial role in India’s victory, scoring a steady 76 to help his team post a strong total of 176-7. However, it was South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen who threatened to steal the show with his blistering 52 off 27 balls, leaving India’s fans on the edge of their seats.
But India’s bowling unit, led by the exceptional Hardik Pandya, who took 3-20, held its nerve to restrict South Africa to 169-8. The win marked India’s second T20 World Cup title, following its inaugural triumph in 2007, and ended an 11-year wait for a major ICC trophy since their 2013 Champions Trophy victory.
India shines at the Olympics with six medals
Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and Javelin Throw world champion, won a silver medal in Paris. | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR
The Indian contingent made a mark at the Olympics, securing six medals, including one silver and five bronze medals.
Star performers Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale, Aman Sehrawat, and the Indian hockey team contributed to India’s medal haul, giving the nation reason to celebrate.
Manu Bhaker created history in Indian shooting, registering several firsts. She became the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Games. Bhaker’s first bronze medal came in the women’s 10m air pistol event, making her the first Indian woman shooter to stand on the Olympic podium. She narrowly missed the silver medal by 0.1 points.
Bhaker’s second bronze medal was won in the mixed 10m air pistol event, where she paired with Sarabjot Singh to defeat South Korea 16-10.
Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and Javelin Throw world champion, won a silver medal, narrowly missing the gold. Chopra’s performance was impressive, with a season-best throw of 89.45m. He became the second male athlete post-independence to win two Olympic medals in an individual event.
The Indian hockey team, Swapnil and Aman also contributed to India’s medal tally, bringing home bronze medals in their respective events.
Rohan Bopanna reigns supreme
Rohan Bopanna’s title-winning run at the Australian Open made him oldest first-time World No. 1 in men’s doubles. | Photo Credit: AFP
While 2024 was another tough year for Indian tennis in terms of results, there were a few moments that stood out and kept hopes of a brighter future alive – Rohan Bopanna’s title-winning run at the Australian Open making him oldest first-time World No. 1 in men’s doubles, and Sumit Nagal’s entry into ATP Top 100.
After 19 different partners and 61 attempts, Bopanna finally won the men’s doubles Grand Slam title he had been chasing ever since he made his ATP Tour debut in doubles 22 years ago in Chennai.
Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden beat Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(0), 7-5 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to clinch the Australian Open.
Paralympians sizzle in Paris
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic golds, defending her title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 with a world-record score. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
India achieved its best-ever Paralympic performance at the Paris 2024 Games, winning 29 medals — seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze — surpassing the 19-medal tally from Tokyo 2020. This historic haul also took India’s overall Paralympic medal count past 50.
A record 84 para-athletes represented India across 12 sports, including new entries in para-cycling, para rowing, and blind judo. The Games, held from August 28 to September 8, saw several remarkable feats.
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic golds, defending her title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 with a world-record score. India recorded a one-two finish in athletics for the first time, with Dharambir (gold) and Parnav Soorma (silver) excelling in the men’s club throw F51. Dharambir also set a new Asian record of 34.92m. Praveen Kumar claimed gold in the high jump T64, also with an Asian record.
Sumit Antil became the first Indian man to defend a Paralympic title, winning the javelin throw F64 with a record 70.59m. Mariyappan Thangavelu earned bronze in the high jump T42, becoming the first Indian to win medals at three consecutive Paralympics.
In archery, Sheetal Devi, at 17, became India’s youngest Paralympic medallist, winning bronze in the mixed team event with Rakesh Kumar. She also set a world record in the ranking round and teamed up with Kumar to achieve a mixed team qualification world record. Harvinder Singh made history as India’s first Paralympic archery champion.
Puja Tomar becomes first Indian to win in UFC
Puja Tomar made history by becoming the first Indian mixed martial artist to secure a victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Puja Tomar made history by becoming the first Indian mixed martial artist to secure a victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The 30-year-old triumphed over Brazil’s Rayanne dos Santos in a strawweight (52kg) bout, clinching a hard-fought split-decision win with scores of 30-27, 27-30, and 29-28 on Saturday.
Nicknamed “Cyclone,” Tomar had signed with the UFC in October last year, making her the first Indian woman to compete in the world’s premier MMA promotion.
Speaking to Sony Sports Network after her historic win, Tomar dedicated her success to Indian fans and fighters. “This win isn’t just mine — it’s for all Indian fans and fighters. There was a time when people thought Indian fighters didn’t stand a chance. I wanted to prove to the world that Indian fighters are not losers,” she said.
Indian women’s team wins historic bronze medal
Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee of India in action. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
The Indian women’s table tennis team, comprising Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Ayhika Mukherjee, Suthirtha Mukherjee, and Diya Chitale, made history by securing India’s first-ever medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships. Competing in Astana, Kazakhstan, the team clinched a bronze medal after a valiant effort in the semifinals, where they were defeated by Japan. This was India’s first medal in the women’s team event at the Asian Table Tennis Championships since the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) started organising the competition in 1972.
Windfall for chess
At just 18, D Gukesh has etched his name in chess history, becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion after a stunning victory over Ding Liren. | Photo Credit: PTI
At just 18, D Gukesh has etched his name in chess history, becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion after a stunning victory over Ding Liren in the 14th round of their championship clash in Singapore. This extraordinary achievement shattered the long-standing record set by the iconic Garry Kasparov, who claimed the title at 22 by defeating Anatoly Karpov in 1985.
Earlier this year, Gukesh had already made headlines by winning the FIDE Candidates Tournament, becoming the youngest victor in its history. With a commanding nine points in the prestigious eight-player event, he not only secured his place in the World Championship final but also became only the second Indian to do so, following in the footsteps of his mentor and five-time World Champion, Viswanathan Anand.
India also achieved a historic milestone in sports in Budapest by winning gold medals in both the Open and Women’s sections of the 45th Chess Olympiad. Two years ago, at the Olympiad held in Mamallapuram near Chennai, India had secured bronze in both sections. Notably, in the Open category, it was India’s second team that earned the medal. As the host nation, India had fielded three teams in each section during that edition.
Indian men’s hockey team retains Olympics bronze medal at Paris 2024
India scripted a historic triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating Spain 2-1 to claim the bronze medal in hockey. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
India scripted a historic triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating Spain 2-1 to claim the bronze medal in hockey. This victory marked India’s 13th Olympic medal in the sport and its fourth bronze, reaffirming the nation’s illustrious legacy on the global stage.
Remarkably, this was the first time since 1972 that India had secured back-to-back Olympic medals in hockey, a testament to the team’s resurgence and determination.
The bronze medal was a poetic farewell for the legendary P.R. Sreejesh, who bid adieu to international hockey after an extraordinary two-decade career.
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Virat Kohli /
Neeraj Chopra /
Sarabjot Singh /
Swapnil Kusale /
Rohan Bopanna /
Avani Lekhara /
Puja Tomar /
D. Gukesh /
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