Current Affairs - Persons

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has set a new record for the longest spacewalking time by a woman, surpassing the previous record held by Peggy Whitson. Williams has accumulated a total of 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalking time across nine extravehicular activities (EVAs). She achieved this milestone during a spacewalk with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore on the International Space Station (ISS). The record-breaking spacewalk lasted 5 hours and 26 minutes, contributing to her ranking as the fourth-highest spacewalker in NASA’s history.

Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected as the pilot for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station, scheduled for spring 2025. This makes him the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. His participation aligns with India's Gaganyaan mission objectives and represents a significant step in India's human spaceflight program. The mission is commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and includes astronauts from ESA and Hungary, contributing to the expansion of private astronaut missions to the ISS.

Jyothi Yarraji secured gold in the women’s 60m indoor hurdles at the Meeting de Nantes Métropole 2025, achieving a remarkable time of 8.04 seconds and breaking her own national record of 8.12 seconds set at the 2024 Asian Indoor Championships. This achievement highlights her consistent performance and exceptional talent in athletics. Meanwhile, Tejas Shirse also made headlines by setting a new national record in the men's 60m hurdles in Luxembourg, clocking 7.65 seconds.

Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Panneerselvam claimed the 9th Johor International Open Chess Tournament title in Malaysia with a dominant performance, scoring 8.5 points across nine rounds. The 22-year-old from Erode, Tamil Nadu, finished 1.5 points ahead of his closest rival, securing the title even before the final round. His victory included defeating notable players, such as 4 International Masters and 1 Grandmaster. Iniyan’s triumph further highlights his remarkable talent, adding to his earlier success at the Chennai Open in January 2025.

Jannik Sinner emerged victorious in the men’s singles category at the 2025 Australian Open, which took place at Melbourne Park from January 12 to 26. This prestigious Grand Slam marked its 113th edition, showcasing world-class tennis talent. Alongside Sinner’s triumph, Madison Keys won the women’s singles title, while Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten secured the men’s doubles championship. The tournament highlighted exceptional performances across all categories, solidifying its reputation as one of tennis's most celebrated events.