Current Affairs - Sports

India secured its record third Men's U-18 Asia Cup hockey title by defeating host nation Japan 4-1 in the final held at Kakamigahara, Japan, on June 6, 2026. The victory earned India the gold medal and reinforced its strong presence in Asian junior hockey. Ashish Tani Purti played a crucial role in the tournament, finishing as the top scorer with 13 goals and earning the Player of the Match award in the final. Ayush Rajak was named the tournament's Best Goalkeeper, while Ketan Kushwaha captained the championship-winning Indian team. The achievement highlights the strength of India's emerging hockey talent.

India won its record-extending sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title by defeating Bangladesh 3-1 in the final held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on June 9, 2026. The victory marked India's first championship triumph since 2019 and helped the team reclaim the title after Bangladesh won the 2022 and 2024 editions. India delivered a dominant performance throughout the tournament, scoring 18 goals in four matches while conceding only one. Goals in the final were scored by Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum, and Lynda Kom. The achievement further strengthened India's position as the most successful team in SAFF Women’s Championship history.

R Praggnanandhaa created history by becoming the first Indian to win the Norway Chess tournament, one of the most prestigious events in world chess. The 20-year-old Grandmaster secured the title after defeating Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the final round and finishing with 18 points. His remarkable campaign included four consecutive victories in the later stages of the tournament and two classical wins against former World Champion Magnus Carlsen. This achievement is particularly significant because even renowned Indian players such as Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh had never won the Norway Chess title, making Praggnanandhaa’s success a landmark moment for Indian chess.

Ahmedabad hosted the First World Yogasana Championship 2026, a landmark event inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The championship brought together athletes from various countries and marked a significant step toward establishing Yogasana as a globally recognised competitive sport. Ahmedabad was chosen as the host city due to its cultural and historical importance as India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. The event was organised ahead of International Yoga Day 2026 and aimed to promote yoga beyond wellness by showcasing its potential as a competitive discipline. It also highlighted India’s efforts to popularise yoga on the international stage and encourage global participation in Yogasana.

Arjun Erigaisi achieved a significant milestone on June 02, 2026, by securing the World No. 8 position in the latest FIDE rankings, making him the only Indian player in the global top 10 at that time. He gained 10 rating points during the assessment period and strengthened his standing through strong performances in major international tournaments. One of his notable achievements was finishing as the runner-up at the TePe Sigeman 2026 tournament, where he lost to Magnus Carlsen in a playoff. Erigaisi, who became India's 54th Grandmaster in 2018, continues to be one of the country's leading chess talents.