Current Affairs - Sports

At the Zurich Diamond League Final 2025, Germany’s Julian Weber emerged victorious in the men’s javelin event with a commanding performance, registering two throws over 90m, including his winning 91.51m effort. This season-best throw secured him the top spot ahead of India’s Neeraj Chopra, who finished second with 85.01m, and Trinidad & Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who claimed third with 84.95m. Weber’s dominance highlighted his exceptional form, with consistent strong throws across the competition. The event also extended Neeraj Chopra’s incredible streak of 26 consecutive top-two finishes, underlining his consistency, while Weber’s performance reaffirmed his standing as a world-class javelin thrower.

Mirabai Chanu achieved a remarkable comeback by winning gold in the women’s 48kg category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 held in Ahmedabad. She lifted a total of 193kg, which included 84kg in snatch and 109kg in clean & jerk, setting new Commonwealth records in each segment as well as in the overall total. This outstanding performance not only secured her the gold medal but also guaranteed her direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Chanu’s victory further strengthens her position as one of India’s most celebrated athletes in international weightlifting.

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.