New Delhi: 2024 was a year of remarkable achievements, stellar performances and some memorable triumphs for Indian sports. From Manu Bhaker’s historic double medal feat at the Paris Olympics to India lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 title and D Gukesh becoming the youngest world champion in chess history, it was a year to relish for Indian sports fans.
In many ways, it was a defining year for Indian sports which came with its share of highs and lows for the athletes. With high hopes of breaching the 10-medal mark, India sent its largest contingent of 117 athletes for the Paris Olympics but the contingent failed to better their Tokyo Games medals tally of 7 as they returned home with a total of six medals.
But the country witnessed many firsts at the Paris Games as Bhaker headlined India’s show at the Paris Games with twin medals in shooting. She won a bronze medal apiece in women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol events to become the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra missed out on a second successive gold medal but it was a silver that gleamed like gold as the 27-year-old javelin star made the country proud once again by clinching silver at the Paris Games. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian men’s cricket team finally brought an end to an 11-year-long ICC title drought by lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 title in style by remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.
D Gukesh ensured it was a fitting end to an enthralling year for Indian sports by defeating China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest chess world champion at the age of 18. Gukesh defeated Liren 7.5-6.5 in the Chess World Championship which was played over 14 games to record a historic triumph. India also recorded their best-ever show at the Paris Paralympics with an impressive 29 medals, including 7 gold.
Top moments of Indian sports in 2024:
Indian women’s team win Badminton Asia Team Championships
The Indian women’s badminton team scripted history by defeating favourites Thailand to win the prestigious Badminton Asia Team Championships title in February this year. PV Sindhu-led Indian women’s team won the continental team championship title for the first time in the history of the tournament.
PV Sindhu led from the front in the final as the two-time Olympic medallist set the tone for India in the final against Thailand by defeating Supaninda Katethong in straight games. India went 2-0 up after Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly won their doubles match before Thailand bounced back to level the final 2-2 by winning the next two matches.
India’s teenage sensation Anmol Kharb sealed the title for the country by winning the decider against Pornpicha Choeikeewong in straight games.
Manu Bhaker’s double medal feat at Paris Olympics
Manu Bhaker led India’s show at the Paris Olympics 2024 with her brilliant double-medal feat. She created history by becoming the first Indian to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the games. The 22-year-old shooting sensation won two bronze medals in the individual and mixed team 10m air pistol events.
Bhaker came close to completing a hat-trick of medals at the Paris Games but missed out closely after finishing 4th in the women’s 25m air pistol final. Nonetheless, she was arguably the standout performer for India at the Olympics and inspired a generation with her heroics. She also became the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting at the Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra wins back-to-back Olympic medals
Though he missed out on the elusive gold, Neeraj Chopra still managed to script history at the Paris Olympics by clinching a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw. Neeraj finished behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who produced an inspiring performance in the final to break the all-time Olympic record with a stunning throw of 92.97m. The Indian javelin star won back-to-back medals having won gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Neeraj had to settle for a silver despite producing his season-best throw of 89.94m. Nonetheless, he became the first Indian athlete to win gold and silver in successive editions of the Olympics. He also became only the fourth Indian after the likes of Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu and Manu Bhaker to win multiple individual medals at the Olympics.
Indian men’s hockey team clinches bronze medal at Paris Olympics
Indian men’s hockey team clinched back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics. The Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team came from a goal down to beat Spain 2-1 and win the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2-24. Harmanpreet was India’s hero in the bronze medal match against Spain as he bagged a magnificent brace to help his team emerge on top.
It was India’s second successive Olympic medal, winning a bronze medal in the last edition of the Games in 2021. India brought an end to a 52-year-long wait for successive medals at the Olympics as they last clinched back-to-back medals in hockey in 1968 and the 1972 Games in Munich. India’s veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh called time on his legendary career after India’s bronze medal victory.
India clinch T20 World Cup 2024 title
Rohit Sharma-led India defeated South Africa by 7 runs in a nail-biting final to clinch the T20 World Cup 2024 title and bring an end to the country’s 11-year-long ICC title drought. India rode on a terrific knock of 76 runs off 59 balls from Virat Kohli and brilliant bowling spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya to get the better of South Africa in the summit clash.
India created history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup title unbeaten as they won all eight matches played in the tournament. The memorable triumph also marked an end to the country’s wait for their 2nd T20 World Cup title since 2007. The World Cup victory became even more significant as it marked the farewell of the likes of Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who announced their retirement from T20Is.
Best-ever show in Paralympics
India recorded their best-ever performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The Indian contingent won a total of 29 medals, including 7 gold and nine silver to register as the country registered its most successful performance in a single edition of the Paralympics. India surpassed their previous best tally of 19 medals from the Tokyo Paralympics.
Several Indian para-athletes rode to the occasion and delivered memorable performances in their respective sporting categories to make the country proud at the highest level. Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympics after clinching a second successive gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting event. Meanwhile, Sumit Antil scripted history by becoming the first Indian man to successfully defend his gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F64 event.
D Gukesh becomes youngest chess world champion
Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh etched his name in history by becoming the youngest world champion in chess history. Gukesh defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final to clinch the World Chess Championship 2024 title. Gukesh secured a thrilling victory in the final 14th game of the summit clash, beating Liren 7.5-6.5 to seal the world title.
Many expected Liren to use his experience and force a draw in the decisive 14th game in the final but Gukesh capitalised on a dramatic error from the Chinese grandmaster to win the title. 18-year-old Gukesh broke the record held by former Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who won the World Chess Championship at the age of 22 in 1985.
From Manu Bhaker’s double medal feat at the Paris Olympics to D Gukesh’s World Championship triumph and Rohit Sharma-led Team India’s T20 World Cup victory, here is a look at India’s top sporting moments from 2024. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
