Current Affairs - Sports

Lee Zii Jia from Malaysia clinched the title at the BWF Australian Open 2024 in Sydney on June 16, defeating Naraoka Kodai of Japan in a thrilling final. Lee's victory marked his second title of the season, showcasing his skill and determination in a hard-fought match that lasted an hour and 18 minutes.

Saurabh Sharma, hailing from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, achieved remarkable success by clinching two gold medals in the World Para Athlete Grand Prix held in Nottwil City, Switzerland. Competing in the T12 category, Sharma displayed outstanding performance in both the 155-meter and 5000-meter races. Prior to this international triumph, Sharma had already secured seven gold medals at the national level, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication in para-athletics.

Reetika Hooda secured a silver medal in the women's 76kg category at the Budapest Wrestling Series. Despite facing tough opponents, including former world champion Justina Di Stasio, Hooda emerged victorious in three out of four matches. However, she faced defeat against Tatiana Renteria in the final match. This tournament played a crucial role in determining the seedings for the Paris 2024 Olympics, making Hooda's achievement significant in the context of her Olympic aspirations in wrestling.

The Uttar Pradesh government has agreed to host the MotoGP Bharat event at the Buddha Circuit in Greater Noida's Gautam Buddha Nagar district from 2025 to 2029. A contract will be signed between the state government, Dorna Sports, and its Indian partner, Fairstreet Sports, for the organization of this prestigious event. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to promoting sports and tourism in the region, with an allocated budget of ₹80 crore through the Invest UP department, as announced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Divya Deshmukh, an 18-year-old International Master from Nagpur, India, emerged victorious in the 2024 FIDE Under-20 Girl’s World Chess Championship. She achieved this feat by remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament and securing a decisive win in her final match, garnering an impressive 10 out of 11 points. Deshmukh's accomplishment adds her name to the list of esteemed Indian women chess players who have excelled on the international stage, showcasing her strategic prowess and determination in competitive chess. Kazybek Nogerbek from Kazakhstan claimed the men’s title in the same championship, highlighting the global diversity and talent at the FIDE U-20 World Chess Championship 2024.