Current Affairs - Sports

India defeated ninth-seeded Switzerland 3–1 in the Davis Cup World Group I 2025 tie held at the Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel. This historic victory ended a 32-year drought, marking India’s first away win against a European nation since 1993, when Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan led India past France. Sumit Nagal sealed the tie with an impressive straight-sets victory over Henry Bernet in the reverse singles. The win not only highlighted India’s resilience but also secured their spot in the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers. It reaffirmed India’s potential to compete at the highest levels of world tennis.

The Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Sports Science Research (SAI-NCSSR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Delhi to advance sports science and promote indigenous innovation in sports equipment. This partnership aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Garv se Swadeshi by reducing dependence on imported equipment and fostering self-reliance. Core objectives include athlete performance enhancement, injury prevention, rehabilitation strategies, and inclusive support for para-athletes. A major highlight of this collaboration was the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Biomechanics Laboratory at IIT Delhi, designed to analyse athlete movement, optimise training, and strengthen India’s sports ecosystem through scientific insights.

Aryna Sabalenka made history at the 2025 US Open by successfully defending her title, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to achieve consecutive victories at the tournament. She defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, marking her fourth career Grand Slam title and her 100th Grand Slam match win. Despite setbacks earlier in the year at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, Sabalenka showcased immense resilience and mental strength to triumph on the New York hard courts. This victory not only silenced doubts about her consistency but also solidified her reputation as one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis.

India achieved a historic milestone at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 by defeating Oman in a tense bronze medal match. The game ended 1-1 in regulation time, with Udanta Singh scoring the equalizer for India. In the penalty shoot-out, India triumphed 3-2, thanks to crucial saves by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and missed penalties by Oman. This victory not only secured the bronze medal but also marked India’s first-ever international football win against Oman, a significant achievement in the nation’s football journey. The win reflects India’s growing presence and competitive spirit in Asian football tournaments.

Bhubaneswar has been chosen as the host city for the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in October 2025. This prestigious event will feature both men’s and women’s team competitions and also act as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships. It is the first time that Odisha will host an Asian-level table tennis tournament, marking a significant achievement for the state. The championships are expected to draw top teams from powerhouse nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, along with emerging teams, making Bhubaneswar a major hub for global table tennis action.