Current Affairs - Persons

Neeraj Chopra clinched victory at the 2025 Paris Diamond League with a remarkable first-attempt throw of 88.16 metres. This win marks his first Diamond League title since June 2023, making it a major comeback after a series of close contests earlier in the season. Facing tough competition from Germany’s Julian Weber and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, Neeraj’s opening throw proved unbeatable. The achievement is especially significant given that he had placed eighth in Paris back in 2017. His performance not only reestablished his dominance in global javelin but also boosted his momentum ahead of the Zurich Diamond League Final in August 2025.

Velavan Senthilkumar, an Indian squash player ranked 45th in the world, secured a bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the Asian Squash Championships. He put up a strong performance but eventually lost in a gruelling 65-minute semifinal to Hong Kong’s second seed Alex Lau Tsz Kwan, who is ranked 41st. Despite the defeat, Senthilkumar’s effort earned him a podium finish, contributing to India’s achievements in the continental tournament and underlining his rising profile in the international squash circuit.

Armand Duplantis, the Swedish-American pole vault superstar, made history once again by setting a new world record of 6.28 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League on June 15, 2025. This remarkable achievement marked the 12th time he had broken the world record in his event. Notably, it was the first time he set a world record on Swedish soil, making the moment especially emotional for him and the local crowd at the historic 1912 Olympic Stadium. The jump was completed on his very first attempt, further highlighting his extraordinary consistency and dominance in pole vaulting.

Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6, the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence agency, marking a historic milestone since the agency’s founding in 1909. Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7 Summit in Canada on June 15, 2025, her appointment reflects a progressive shift in the leadership of British intelligence services. Metreweli brings over 25 years of experience in cyber operations and intelligence, having served as MI6’s Director of Technology and Innovation. Her leadership is expected to bolster the agency’s response to modern challenges such as cyber threats, disinformation campaigns, and geopolitical tensions.

Pranati Nayak secured the bronze medal in the vault final at the 12th Senior Women’s Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Jecheon, South Korea. Competing against top talent from Asia, Nayak delivered a strong performance, adding to her growing international reputation. This medal follows her earlier bronze at the FIG World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, showcasing her consistency and competitiveness in global gymnastics events. With this achievement, the 30-year-old gymnast continues to raise the profile of Indian gymnastics on the continental stage, inspiring future athletes in the sport.