Current Affairs - Sports

India secured its fifth Men’s Junior Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan 5-3 in the final held in Muscat, Oman. This victory marks India's third consecutive win in the tournament, following successes in 2015 and 2023. Star player Araijeet Singh Hundal contributed significantly by scoring two penalty corner goals. Recognizing the team's outstanding performance, Hockey India announced cash rewards for the players and support staff. This achievement reinforces India's dominance in junior hockey on the Asian stage.

The 2024 Asian Esports Games were held in Bangkok, where Pavan Kampelli made history by winning India’s first-ever bronze medal in eFootball. Known as 'Mr Tomboy,' he secured a 2-1 victory against Indonesia's Asgard Azizi, a previous eFootball World Finals Winner. Kampelli demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, overcoming initial challenges to claim this significant achievement for India.

Arjun Erigaisi has become the second Indian to reach the prestigious 2800 Elo rating in classical chess, joining Viswanathan Anand in this elite category. Ranked world number four, Arjun is the 16th player in history to achieve this milestone, as recognized by FIDE. Hailing from Warangal, Telangana, the 21-year-old made remarkable contributions at the Chess Olympiad, winning both individual and team gold medals for India.

Max Verstappen secured his fourth Formula 1 world championship during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Although he finished 5th in the race, his performance placed him ahead of rival Lando Norris, who finished 6th, ensuring his championship victory. George Russell won the race, with Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz completing the podium. Verstappen's accomplishments have placed him among legends like Schumacher, Hamilton, and Vettel as a four-time F1 champion.

Eight-year-old Divith Reddy from Hyderabad, India, triumphed in the Under-8 World Cadets Chess Championship, securing the gold medal with 9/11 points. Despite setbacks during the tournament, Divith showcased resilience, winning his last five matches against highly rated-players. His victory on tie-break scores over compatriot Sattwik Swain highlights India’s emerging talent and growing dominance in junior chess globally.