Important Sports Current Affairs 2024–25: Tournaments, Awards, Records & Rankings part-1

D. Gukesh Makes History at FIDE World Chess Championship (Singapore)

At just 18, Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh became the youngest-ever FIDE World Chess Champion, surpassing Magnus Carlsen’s record. He defeated elite players like Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi, carrying forward India’s chess legacy after legends like Viswanathan Anand.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards 2024

India’s highest sporting honor was awarded to:

• D. Gukesh (Chess) – For his historic world title.
• Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey) – Asian Games-winning team captain.
• Praveen Kumar (Para-athletics) – Paralympic silver medalist (T64 High Jump).
• Manu Bhakar (Shooting) – Youth Olympic and World Cup gold medalist in 10m Air Pistol.

Khelo India Winter Games 2024 in Leh & Gulmarg

Held across Leh (Ladakh) and Gulmarg (J&K), the Games promoted skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. The mascot Sheen-e-Shee symbolized the snow spirit of the Himalayas.

2024 FIDE Blitz Champions

• Ju Wenjun (China) – Women’s Blitz Champion.
• Magnus Carlsen (Norway) & Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia) – Shared men’s title, adding to their rivalry.

Santosh Trophy 2024: West Bengal Wins Record 33rd Title

By defeating Kerala in the final, West Bengal extended its record in India’s premier inter-state football tournament, which began in 1941.

ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2024: Australia Triumphs

Led by Alyssa Healy, Australia outclassed England in the final, clinching their seventh ICC title since 2010, underlining their dominance in women’s cricket.

India to Host 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup

For the second time (after 2013), India will host this global event, expected to inspire a new generation of women cricketers.

38th National Games Held in Uttarakhand

Events spanned Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Pithoragarh.

• Top States: Services (1st), Maharashtra (2nd), Haryana (3rd)
• Top Athletes: Srihari Nataraj (Swimming), Dhindhi Desingu (Track & Field)
• Mascot: Mauli (Himalayan Monal); Torch: Tejaswini

Inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup 2024 in Pune

India won both men’s and women’s categories in the first-ever Kho-Kho World Cup, showcasing global reach for this indigenous sport.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25: Karnataka Wins

Led by R. Samarth and K. Gowtham, Karnataka beat Mumbai in the final of this prestigious 50-over domestic competition.

Djokovic Sets Grand Slam Match Record

Novak Djokovic, at age 37, surpassed Federer and Serena Williams with over 430 Grand Slam matches, becoming the most enduring figure in tennis history.

India Open Badminton 2024: Axelsen & An Se Young Reign

• Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) – Men’s Singles Champion
• An Se Young (South Korea) – Women’s Singles Champion
• Held in Delhi, part of BWF Super 750 series.

Australian Open 2024: Jannik Sinner & Madison Keys Win

• Sinner became the first Italian male winner since 1976.
• Keys claimed her maiden Grand Slam, defeating Iga Swiatek.

Hockey India League 2024: Odisha Warriors Crowned Champions

In a triumphant return of the HIL, Odisha Warriors defeated Mumbai Marathas, with Odisha reaffirming its place as a hockey powerhouse.

ICC Annual Awards 2024: India Dominates

• Jasprit Bumrah – First Indian to win both Cricketer & Test Player of the Year.
• Smriti Mandhana, Arshdeep Singh, Amelia Kerr – Top performers in limited overs.
• Richard Illingworth – Best Umpire.

India Wins U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia

Coached by Hrishikesh Kanitkar, India clinched their second title. Shweta Sehrawat and Titas Sadhu emerged as stars of the future.

BCCI Awards 2024: Celebrating Cricket Excellence

• Sachin Tendulkar – CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement
• Ravichandran Ashwin – Honored for reaching 500 Test wickets
• Sarfraz Khan & Asha Sobhana – Best debutants

39th National Games (2027) to be Held in Meghalaya

Slated for Shillong and Tura, the event will highlight northeastern talent and tribal sports culture.

Jacob Kiplimo Sets Half-Marathon World Record

The Ugandan runner clocked 56:42 in Lisbon, breaking his own world record.

Marcelo Retires from Football

The most decorated Real Madrid player with 25 titles, Marcelo ended a stellar 18-year career.

Mohun Bagan Wins ISL 2024–25

Now merged as ATK Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata giants lifted the ISL trophy, continuing their legacy that dates back to the 19th century.

BBC Indian Sports Awards 2024

• Manu Bhakar – Best Female Athlete
• Sheetal Devi – Emerging Star (Para Archery)
• Avani Lekhara – Para Sports Excellence
• Mithali Raj – Lifetime Achievement

Laureus World Sports Awards 2024

• Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) – Athletics
• Simone Biles (USA) – Comeback of the Year
• Real Madrid – Team of the Year

2nd Khelo India Para Games: India’s Largest Para-Sport Event

Held in Delhi, over 2,000 para-athletes competed across 7 disciplines, setting new benchmarks in inclusion.

India Masters Win International T20 League for Veterans

Featuring Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, India defeated Pakistan to win the senior-level tournament.

Miami Open 2025: Mensik Defeats Djokovic

Teen prodigy Jakub Mensik (Czech Republic) beat Djokovic, who became the oldest Masters 1000 finalist in ATP history.

Manav Thakkar Qualifies for World Table Tennis Star Contender

The first Indian male to directly qualify for this elite international event, once ranked World No.1 in U-21.

India Open Squash 2025: Anahat Singh & Kareem El Torkey Win Titles

• Anahat Singh (India) – First senior title
• Kareem El Torkey (Egypt) – Defeated Saurav Ghosal in men’s final

Pranav Venkatesh Wins World Junior Chess Championship

At 17, Pranav became the 7th Indian to win the FIDE World Junior title, joining greats like Anand and Harikrishna.

All England Open 2025: Shi Yu Qi & An Se Young Clinch Titles

• Shi Yu Qi (China) – Won his second All England title
• An Se Young (South Korea) – First Korean woman to defend the title since 1996