Current Affairs - Sports

Real Madrid claimed the Intercontinental Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Pachuca in Lusail, Qatar. This marked their fourth win in the competition's history, having previously triumphed in 1960, 1998, and 2002. Carlo Ancelotti celebrated his 15th title with Real Madrid, further cementing his legacy as the club's most decorated manager. This achievement also came shortly after Ancelotti was honoured as FIFA’s Men's Coach of the Year.

Kiran Ankush Jadhav, representing the Indian Navy, emerged victorious in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the 67th National Shooting Championship held in Bhopal. He scored an impressive 465.8 in the final, surpassing Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar and Swapnil Kusale, who finished second and third, respectively. Kusale, a Paris Olympic bronze medallist representing Railways, had led until the 40th shot but ultimately secured the bronze medal. Jadhav’s remarkable performance highlights his excellence in precision shooting and his growing prominence in the sport.

India clinched the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2024 in hockey by defeating China in a penalty shootout with a score of 3-2 in Muscat, Oman. Key contributors to the victory included goalkeeper Nidhi with three saves and goals by Sakshi Rana, Ishika, and Sunelita Toppo. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Additionally, Deepika Sehrawat stood out as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals, and Hockey India announced rewards for the players and staff to celebrate the achievement.

Rithvik Sanjeevi secured his maiden BWF Super 100 title by defeating Tharun Mannepalli in the men’s singles final at the Odisha Masters with a score of 21-18, 21-16. This win marks a significant achievement for Rithvik, as it is his first major title at this level. He has previously demonstrated his talent by winning the Telangana International Challenge and finishing as a runner-up at the Sri Lanka International Challenge.

The ice events of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will be held in Leh, Ladakh, from January 23 to 27, 2025. Leh is one of the host locations for the event, while snow events will take place in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir. The Khelo India Winter Games focus on promoting winter sports and providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills, especially those from remote Himalayan regions. This event continues to be an important fixture in India's sports calendar.