Current Affairs - Sports

The Indian women’s shooting team showcased an outstanding performance at the Asian Shooting Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. In the 25m pistol junior individual event, Payal Khatri won gold, Naamya Kapoor secured silver, and Tejaswani earned bronze, completing a clean sweep of the podium. Additionally, the trio also won gold in the team event, further cementing India’s dominance in the competition. Beyond this, Bhowneesh Mendiratta secured a silver medal in the men’s trap, while Neeru Dhanda and Aashima Ahlawat brought home gold and bronze respectively in the women’s trap, highlighting India’s rising stature in shooting sports.

Madhya Pradesh secured the top position in the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival, which took place over three days at Dal Lake in Srinagar. The state dominated water sports, particularly kayaking and canoeing, where it won all four gold medals. In total, Madhya Pradesh bagged 18 medals, comprising 10 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze, making it the clear champion. Odisha followed with 10 medals, while Kerala secured the third spot with seven. The event was organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the J&K Sports Council, marking a significant milestone in promoting water sports in India.

Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s dependable No. 3 Test batsman, announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on August 24, 2025. Often called “India’s Modern Wall,” he carried forward the legacy of Rahul Dravid by playing long, patient innings and providing stability to the Indian batting lineup. With 103 Test matches, 7,195 runs, and 19 centuries, Pujara is India’s 8th highest run-scorer in Test history. His most memorable performance came during the 2018–19 Test series in Australia, where he scored 521 runs and played a pivotal role in India’s historic first-ever series win there. His retirement signifies the end of an era of classical Test batting.

Mohamed Salah made history by becoming the first footballer ever to win the PFA Player of the Year award three times. In the 2024–25 season, Salah not only secured this prestigious honour but also claimed the Premier League Player of the Season, the Golden Boot, and the Playmaker award. His tally of 29 goals and 18 assists was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph, finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal. Salah had previously won the PFA award in 2018 and 2022, but his third triumph in 2025 established a new benchmark in English football excellence.

India will host the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025, marking its debut in the field of winter sports. The event will take place from 20–23 August 2025 at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Raipur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Organised by the Ice Skating Association of India (ISAI), the tournament will feature nine race categories, ranging from 222 meters to a 5000-meter relay. With the participation of over 11 Asian countries, this event is a significant milestone in India’s journey toward promoting winter sports and showcasing its capacity to organise international-level sporting competitions.