General Awareness

SPORTS - March 2025

Mar 2025

Apr 15, 2026

Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma named Wisden's Leading Cricketers in the World for 2025

Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma have been named Wisden Cricketers' Almanack's Leading Cricketers in the World for 2025, announced ahead of Wisden's 163rd edition. Starc delivered a standout year across formats, taking 55 wickets in 11 Test matches at an average of 17.32, including a career-best 6/9 against the West Indies. Sharma played a key role in India's first-ever Women's ODI World Cup triumph on home soil in 2025, contributing 215 runs at 30.71 and 22 wickets at 20.40. In the final, she scored 58 off 58 balls and claimed 5/39 with a match-winning spell. The awards highlight India's rise in global cricket. The recognition reflects performances from the 2025 season.

Mitchell Starc: 55 wickets in 11 Tests, avg 17.32
Career-best 6/9 vs West Indies
Deepti Sharma: 215 runs at 30.71, 22 wickets at 20.40
In final: 58 off 58 balls, 5/39
India's growing prominence in world cricket

Sawan Barwal breaks India’s oldest marathon record at Rotterdam Marathon 2026

India’s Sawan Barwal, a 28‑year‑old Army havildar, set a new national marathon record at the Rotterdam Marathon 2026 with a time of 2 hours 11 minutes 58 seconds. Barwal finished 20th in a competitive field, surpassing Shivnath Singh’s 2:12:00 set in 1978. Trained under coach Ajith Markose as part of Project 2:09, Barwal overcame a late collapse to finish strong and has qualified for the Asian Games. The record end marks a milestone in Indian distance running and highlights Barwal’s rise from track events to marathon success.

Barwal clocked 2:11:58 at the Rotterdam Marathon 2026.
This time breaks Shivnath Singh’s 1978 national record of 2:12:00.
Barwal finished 20th in a highly competitive field.
He trains under Ajith Markose as part of Project 2:09.
The performance qualifies him for the Asian Games.

Apr 14, 2026

Abhimanyu Mandwal wins gold in 70kg freestyle at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026

Abhimanyu Mandwal clinched gold in the 70 kg freestyle final at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, defeating Mongolia’s Tomor Ochiryn Tulga 5-3. Mandwal’s victory added to India’s medal tally and demonstrated consistent form in a competitive weight category. The final showcased Mandwal’s balance of offense and defense, contributing to India’s reputation as a rising force in Asian wrestling and opening doors for further international opportunities in the sport.

Gold: Abhimanyu Mandwal, 70 kg
Final score: 5-3 vs Tomor Ochiryn Tulga (Mongolia)
Context: strengthens India’s freestyle wrestling presence
Impact: supports selection for future global events
Location: Bishkek; Asian Wrestling Championships 2026

Sujeet Kalkal wins gold in 65kg category at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026

Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the 65 kg freestyle event at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, defeating top rivals en route to the title. His victory marks a historic 65 kg gold for India and reflects his technical skill and strategic aggression. Kalkal’s performance added to India’s growing success in wrestling on the continental stage and signaled potential for selection in major global events in the coming year.

Gold: Sujeet Kalkal, 65 kg
Final opponent: Umidjon Jalolov (Uzbekistan)
Significance: first 65 kg Indian gold since 2019
Context: part of India’s strong wrestling showing in Bishkek
Implication: potential for further international selection

Sujeet Kalkal and Abhimanyu Mandwal grab gold at Asian Wrestling Championships 2026

Indian wrestlers dominated the freestyle events at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 held in Bishkek. Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the 65 kg category, defeating Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov 8-1. He becomes the first Indian to win 65 kg gold since Bajrang Punia in 2019 and earned his third gold medal of the year. Abhimanyu Mandwal added another gold in the 70 kg final, defeating Mongolia’s Tomor Ochiryn Tulga 5-3. The two victories contributed to India’s strong medal tally as the team continued its good form on the continental stage.

65 kg gold: Sujeet Kalkal; final score 8-1 vs Umidjon Jalolov
First 65 kg Indian gold since Bajrang Punia (2019)
Mandwal gold: 70 kg; final score 5-3 vs Tomor Ochiryn Tulga
Event: Asian Wrestling Championships 2026; Bishkek
Impact: India strengthens its position in freestyle wrestling

Ayush Shetty earns silver at Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo

Ayush Shetty, 20, emerged as a rising Indian badminton talent by reaching the men’s singles final at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 in Ningbo. In a breakthrough run, he defeated several top-ranked players, including world No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7, en route to the final. In the title match, Shi Yuqi of China, world No. 2, dominated and won 21-8, 21-10 in 42 minutes. The straight-sets loss did not erase the significance of Shetty’s performance, which showcased speed, shot-making, and tactical variation. The result signals a new generation of Indian players entering the international badminton stage.

Final opponent: Shi Yuqi (China), world No. 2
Final score: 21-8, 21-10, duration 42 minutes
Shetty’s age: 20; notable run to the final
Path to final included wins over world No. 1, No. 4, and No. 7
Event location: Ningbo; Badminton Asia Championships 2026

Sinner stuns Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026; reclaims No. 1

Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Monte Carlo Masters 2026 in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-3. This victory marked his third ATP Masters 1000 title of the year and extended a 17-match winning run. With the win, Sinner reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking and joined a select group who have won four consecutive ATP Masters titles. The final showcased high-quality tennis, with Alcaraz pushing early; Sinner regained control and closed out in the second set to secure the title at one of the tour’s premier clay-court events.

Final score: 7-6(5), 6-3
Champion: Jannik Sinner; World No. 1
Opponent: Carlos Alcaraz
Cadence: third Masters 1000 title of 2026
Win streak: 17 matches

Apr 11, 2026

Brazil’s Laura Cardoso sets T20I bowling record with nine wickets

Brazil’s Laura Cardoso set a record in T20I cricket by taking nine wickets for four runs in three overs against Lesotho, the first instance of nine wickets in a single innings in T20I history. Cardoso’s extraordinary spell marked the first time any player—men or women—had claimed nine wickets in a single innings in the format. Her figures of 9/4 surpass the previous best of eight for seven by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey in 2025. The 21-year-old’s sensational performance highlighted Brazil’s rising stature in women’s cricket on the global stage and underscored the growth of the sport in new regions.

Laura Cardoso took 9/4 in three overs vs Lesotho.
First player to claim nine wickets in a T20I innings (men or women).
Surpasses Bhutan’s 8/7 record from 2025.
21-year-old’s performance signals growth of Brazil in women’s cricket.
Viewed as a historic milestone in T20I bowling records.

Apr 10, 2026

ITBP to host 25th All India Water Sports Cluster in Uttarakhand

The 25th All India Police Water Sports Cluster Championship will be held at Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand, beginning today and continuing until 12 April. Organised under the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the national event will see over 440 athletes from 19 police teams across India compete in 52 events, including canoeing, rowing and kayaking. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is slated to inaugurate the competition. Officials say all arrangements are complete. The championship aims to showcase sporting talent and also promote Tehri district as a tourism destination, potentially boosting local economy and hospitality demand during the event.

Event: 25th All India Police Water Sports Cluster Championship at Tehri Lake
Dates: Today to 12 April; inauguration by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
Participants: 440+ athletes from 19 police teams; 52 events

Apr 09, 2026

Blanka Vlašić named World 10K Bengaluru 2026 International Event Ambassador

Croatian athletics great Blanka Vlašić has been named International Event Ambassador for the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026, scheduled for 26 April 2026. The former high jump star, Olympic silver medallist (Beijing 2008) and bronze medallist (Rio 2016), joins the event to boost global attention and participation. Vlašić, renowned for a 2.08 metre personal best set in 2009, expressed pride in supporting a race that unites thousands of runners. Organisers hope her involvement inspires competitive spirit and broad media coverage. Bengaluru's World 10K has grown into a flagship Indian athletics event, drawing elite athletes and mass participation from across the country.

Blanka Vlašić appointed International Event Ambassador for World 10K Bengaluru 2026.
Event scheduled for 26 April 2026 in Bengaluru.
Vlašić is an Olympic silver and bronze medallist in high jump.
Her presence expected to boost global attention and participation.
Event is a major platform for Indian athletics.

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