Current Affairs - Persons

Kirsty Coventry made history by becoming the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), breaking a longstanding 130-year barrier. As a legendary swimmer from Zimbabwe, Coventry secured 49 of 97 votes to succeed Thomas Bach. Her election represents a significant step toward greater diversity and inclusivity within the IOC, marking a transformative moment in the history of international sports leadership.

Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Care Earth Trust, became the first Indian to receive the prestigious Ramsar Award for 'Wetland Wise Use.' This award, recognized globally, celebrates her contributions to the sustainable management of wetlands, particularly her work in conserving the Pallikaranai Marsh in Chennai. Through her research, flood mitigation efforts, and mentorship, she has significantly impacted wetland conservation in India, highlighting the importance of these ecosystems. Her dedication to wetland preservation earned her recognition as one of the 12 women changemakers honoured for their pioneering work in environmental conservation.

Krishna Jayasankar became the first Indian woman to surpass the 16m mark in indoor shot put, setting a new record with a throw of 16.03m. This achievement was part of her performance at the 2025 Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Championships, where she earned a bronze medal. Her record-breaking throw surpassed the previous 15.54m mark. Despite this, India's overall women's shot put record remains 18.41m, held by Abha Khatua. This highlights Krishna Jayasankar's significant milestone in Indian athletics.

Rithvik Bollipalli, from India, partnered with Colombia's Nicolas Barrientos to win the Chile Open 2025 men’s doubles title in Santiago. They defeated the top-seeded Argentine pair, Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez, with a 6-3, 6-2 scoreline. This victory made Bollipalli the first Indian to win an ATP title on Latin Clay, adding to his previous achievement of winning the 2024 Almaty Open.

Heart Lamp is a short story collection by Kannada author Banu Mushtaq, which has been longlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025. This is a historic achievement, as it is the first time that a Kannada work has made it to the long list. The collection contains 12 short stories set within Muslim communities in southern India, originally published between 1990 and 2023. The judges have praised the book’s storytelling, calling it “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving, and excoriating.” This marks a significant step for Kannada literature on the international stage, showcasing its depth and cultural richness.