Current Affairs - Sports

Marco Bezzecchi delivered a landmark performance by winning the 2025 MotoGP season finale in Valencia. Riding for Aprilia, he not only secured a dominant victory but also achieved the rare feat of winning back-to-back races, something no Aprilia rider had done before. His triumph in Valencia, combined with his earlier win in Portugal, propelled him to third place in the overall championship standings—marking a historic milestone for both his career and the Aprilia team. This victory highlighted his consistent pace, strong qualifying position, and ability to withstand pressure from emerging contenders like Raul Fernandez and Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Belgium and the Netherlands have been selected to jointly host the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, creating the first-ever edition that is both dual-host and dual-gender. The event will take place from 15–30 August 2026 and will feature tournaments for both men and women. Additionally, this edition introduces the first ParaHockey World Cup, expanding inclusivity within the sport. The competition format has also been updated to include 16 teams per gender, with a system that allows top teams to carry forward results into a second group stage, ultimately determining the semi-finalists.

Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, an Indian Olympian shooter, won the silver medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the ISSF World Championships held in Cairo. He showcased remarkable consistency by equalling the world record in the qualification round with a score of 466.9, narrowly missing the gold to China’s Yukun Liu, who scored 467.1. This achievement reinforces Tomar’s reputation as one of India’s leading rifle shooters and adds to the country’s growing success in international shooting competitions, highlighting India’s rising stature in precision shooting sports globally.

Raahul VS became India’s 91st Chess Grandmaster after an impressive performance at the 6th ASEAN Individual Championship 2025, where he clinched the title with a round to spare. His victory highlights India’s continued dominance and depth in global chess. Raahul had earlier achieved his International Master title in 2021 and demonstrated consistent progress toward the GM title through his exceptional tournament performances. This accomplishment follows recent successes by Illamparthi AR and S Rohith Krishna, showcasing a strong new generation of Indian chess players achieving international recognition and strengthening India’s position as a powerhouse in the chess world.

India celebrated a century of hockey excellence at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi, marking 100 years of remarkable achievements in the sport. The event was jointly organized by the Sports Authority of India and Hockey India, with participation from Union ministers, the FIH President, and legendary hockey players. Highlights included the launch of a commemorative book and a special exhibition showcasing India’s rich hockey legacy. The celebration also featured a friendly match where the Sports Ministry XI triumphed over the Hockey India XI 3–1, symbolizing India’s enduring passion and success in hockey.