Current Affairs - Sports

Ramesh Budihal created history by winning the bronze medal in the open men’s event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2025, held on the beaches of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. This remarkable feat marks India’s first individual medal at the continental surfing championships. The event was also significant because it was the first time India hosted the prestigious competition. Surfing, which made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, is steadily gaining popularity in the country, and Budihal’s achievement is expected to inspire more athletes to take up the sport and compete at an international level.

Argentina emerged as the dominant force at the 2025 Pan American Hockey Cup held in Montevideo, Uruguay, by clinching gold in both the men’s and women’s categories. In the men’s final, Argentina defeated the USA with a commanding 10-0 victory, marking their fourth consecutive and fifth overall title. The women’s team also showcased their supremacy by beating the USA 3-0, securing their seventh consecutive championship. This dual triumph underscores Argentina’s long-standing excellence and consistency in field hockey across the Americas, setting a high standard for regional competition.

The Sub-junior (U-15) National Boxing Championships will be hosted in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with participation from over 700 young athletes, including approximately 400 boys and 300 girls. Organised by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), the competition will feature 15 weight categories for each gender. This event forms a crucial part of BFI’s long-term strategy to identify and nurture boxing talent from the grassroots level, aiming to create a robust pipeline of skilled boxers who can potentially represent India at elite international levels in the future.

South Africa emerged as the champions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 by defeating Pakistan in the final held at Edgbaston, Birmingham. AB de Villiers starred with a match-winning knock that helped South Africa secure a dominant 9-wicket victory. This triumph marked the second edition of the tournament. Pakistan had reached the final through a walkover against India due to political tensions, but South Africa displayed superior performance on the field to claim the title, with de Villiers playing a crucial role in their success.

Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious at the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025, held in Riyadh, by defeating Alireza Firouzja in the Grand Final. Representing Team Liquid, Carlsen showcased his dominance with a powerful performance—securing four wins, two draws, and only one loss across seven games. The event highlighted his superior time management, calm under pressure, and strategic brilliance. Carlsen's path to the title included a crucial semifinal win over Hikaru Nakamura. His competitive drive and witty remarks added flair to the tournament, culminating in a decisive victory that firmly established him as the first champion of this new esports chess format.