Current Affairs - Sports

Manika Batra made history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the pre-quarterfinals of an Olympic singles event, achieving this milestone by defeating France's Prithika Pavade. Batra, ranked world number 24 in ITTF (as of May 2024), has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to Indian sports, receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2020.

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh achieved a historic bronze medal win in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics. This win marked India's second medal at the Games and was notable as Manu Bhaker became the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics since Independence. The pair's exceptional performance highlighted their skill and teamwork, contributing to their illustrious careers and bringing pride to India.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that India will host the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup cricket tournament. This event will be held in the T20 format, aligning with the format of the T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026 in India. The strategic alignment of the Asia Cup's format with the upcoming World Cup has been in practice since 2016, providing teams with relevant format practice.

Sri Lanka achieved a historic victory by winning their first Women's Asia Cup title. They secured the championship by defeating India, who had previously appeared in nine finals and lost only twice. The final match, held at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka, saw standout performances from Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama. Athapaththu was named Player of the Tournament, and Samarawickrama, with a notable 69*, was awarded Player of the Match. This win marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan women’s cricket.

Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making her the first Indian to secure a medal at these Games. This achievement also represents India's first Olympic medal in shooting since the London 2012 Games. Manu's success is significant as she became the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal and the first woman in two decades to reach an Olympic final in an individual shooting event. Her achievements build on a remarkable career, including multiple national and international accolades.