Current Affairs - Persons

Kapil Bainsla from Palwal, Haryana secured India’s first gold medal at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. He triumphed in the 10m air pistol men junior final with a total score of 243.0, narrowly defeating Uzbekistan’s Ilkhombek Obidjonov by 0.6 points. His victory was significant as it set the momentum for India on the opening day of the tournament, where the country bagged one gold, two silvers, and one bronze overall. Kapil’s achievement highlights the rising talent in India’s shooting sport, showcasing determination and precision on the international stage.

Venus Williams, a 7-time Grand Slam singles champion and 2-time U.S. Open champion, was granted a wild card entry into the U.S. Open 2025 at the age of 45. This achievement makes her the oldest singles player at the U.S. Open in more than 40 years. Earlier in the summer, she also became the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since 2004. Her inclusion is both historic and inspiring, showcasing her enduring talent, resilience, and the respect she continues to command in the world of professional tennis.

Devika Sihag, a 20-year-old Indian badminton player, clinched her first International Challenge title at the Malaysia International Challenge 2025 held in Ipoh. She secured this achievement by defeating her compatriot and fifth seed Isharani Baruah in the women’s singles final. This victory adds to her growing list of accomplishments, which include titles at the Swedish Open and Portugal International in 2024. More recently, she also captured the senior National Badminton Championships crown in Bengaluru. Devika’s consistent performance highlights her rising stature in Indian badminton and signals a promising future on the international stage.

The Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 witnessed a historic victory by German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer, who became the first sole champion in the event’s history. He secured the title with one round to spare after drawing his game with Jorden van Foreest. This achievement not only gave him the prestigious tournament title but also propelled him into the world’s Top 10 live chess ratings for the very first time, marking a milestone in his career. While Round 8 saw all matches end in draws, Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and Karthikeyan Murali remained strong contenders for second and third positions.

H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, unveiled the official logo, website, and brochure for Bharat Steel in New Delhi. Bharat Steel is positioned as the Ministry’s flagship international conference and exhibition focused on the steel ecosystem. Scheduled for 2026 in the National Capital, it is expected to be the largest steel exhibition in India, showcasing innovation, technology, and advancements in the sector. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to promoting India’s steel industry globally, strengthening industrial visibility, and creating a platform for collaboration between domestic and international stakeholders.