Top 10 best moments in Indian sports in 2024
Neeraj Chopra becoming first Indian to win two Olympic medals in athletics was another top moment this year.
Sporting moments are memorable events in the world of sports. They might be amazing feats, unexpected results, demonstrations of extraordinary talent, or dramatic returns. Both the sports community and society may be deeply affected emotionally by these occurrences. They may encourage others to play sports or follow their aspirations. Fans may experience extreme happiness and pleasure and occasionally even shivers when they witness such events.
Indian sports had a fantastic year in 2024, particularly the highly successful Paralympic Games. This year, we saw many amazing moments and comebacks, along with some heartbreaking results and unexpected events.
From getting emotional for the men’s cricket team to witnessing a chess world champion, Indian fans stood for the Indian national anthem seven times at the Paralympic Games and many more. These are some of the highlights of Indian sports in 2024.
Best moments in Indian sports in 2024
10. Amit Kumar Saroha’s student Dharambir wins gold medal on Teacher’s Day Eve
Dharambir Nain won India’s fifth gold at the Paris Paralympics 2024, with his medal coming in Men’s Club Throw F51 event. Dharambir was paralysed when he crashed into a rock underwater after misjudging the water depth. He started training in para sports and was coached by his compatriot Amit Kumar Saroha.
On the eve of Teacher’s Day, Dharambir gave a perfect gift to his coach by winning the gold medal at Paris Paralympics. Compatriot Pranav won the silver medal and ensured a 1-2 finish for India in the event. The trio later rang the bell together at Stade de France venue making it one of the most iconic moments in Indian sports.
9. India pips South Korea to win historic medal at Asian Women’s Table Tennis Team Championships
Indian table tennis has been rising rapidly in the world. In the last few years, we have witnessed several historic firsts from our paddlers —from an Asian Games bronze medal in women’s doubles to reaching the Olympic quarterfinals in singles for the first time. Another historic moment happened when the Indian women’s team upset South Korea (3-2) to qualify for the semifinals at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in China.
Ayhika Mukherjee was the star in India’s win as she defeated WR #8 Shin Yu-bin in the opening game and WR 16 Jeon Ji-hee in the decider. Manika Batra won the second match against Jeon Ji-hee to give India a 2-0 lead and that lead was decisive.
8. Indian women’s team defeat Thailand to win Badminton Asian Team Championships
Although, Indian shuttles didn’t enjoy a good 2024 season, the Indian women’s team gave something to cheer for the fans as they won gold medal at the Badminton Asian Team Championships. India had never won any medal in the tournament previously and were not considered among the favourites after heading into the competition with a rather young squad and PV Sindhu.
India faced China in the group stages and with wins from PV Sindhu, Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand and Anmol Kharb, India defeated China to top the group. In the quarter-final, they defeated Hong Kong (3-0) to reach the semis.
Anmol Kharb was the star of the tournament as she defeated WR #29 of Japan and WR #45 of Thailand in the semis and final respectively to help India clinch the title.
7. India men’s hockey team defeat Great Britain in Paris Olympics quarter-final with 10 players
The Indian men’s hockey team delivered a miraculous performance that will be remembered for ages. India defeated Great Britain 1(4)-1(2) in a dramatic shoot-off at the Olympic quarter-final, despite being down to 10 men for most of the match. The team displayed extraordinary grit and determination, overcoming the setback of Amit Rohidas receiving a red card in the 17th minute.
India played some of the finest defensive hockey ever seen, showcasing unity and resilience to secure the victory.
A famous quote by Shah Rukh Khan from the movie Chak De India rightly fits this situation: “If every player of this team played the greatest hockey of his life in these seventy minutes, then even God cannot ask for these seventy minutes back from you.” The Indian team truly lived up to the statement, refusing to let the red card shatter their confidence and delivering a historic win.
6. Indian men’s cricket team win an ICC Trophy after 11 years
The most awaited wait for an ICC Trophy was over this year as India were crowned as the champions of the T20 World Cup 2024 which was held in the USA and West Indies. After a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final last year at home, team India bounced back stronger to win the World Cup.
On the tricky pitches of the USA and West Indies, India defeated South Africa by eight runs to win their second T20 World Cup title and first since 2007. In the final, India didn’t get off to the best of starts, as they lost three quick wickets. But vital contributions from Virat Kohli and Axar Patel helped India post a good total on board.
South Africa also lost two early wickets but with the help of Tristan Stubbs and Quinton de Kock, they stabilized their innings. Heinrich Klaasen’s quick fire 50 then put South Africa in control of the match. But just when it seemed like the Protea would run away with the match, India bounced back with two back-to-back wickets.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav then combined to win India the World Cup, with the latter taking brilliant catch off Pandya’s bowling to dismiss David Miller.
5. Historic double gold in Chess Olympiad
This year Indian chess had a phenomenal year. From Gukesh Winning Candidates and qualifying for the World Championship match to Arjun Erigaisi reaching the 2800 Elo points, there were many memorable moments. One such amazing moment from the Chess World is India winning both men’s and women’s gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad.
The Indian men’s team comprising Arjun, Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaa and Pentala Harikrishna won the Olympiad with a dominating display. The team won 10 matches and drew just one match.
Also Read: History of India’s performance at Chess Olympiad over the years
On the other hand, the women’s team comprising of Harika Dronavalli, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, Vaishali Rameshbabu and Tania Sachdev also won the competition with a score of 19/22.
With this, India became the third country to win the double Olympiad gold. The other two countries were China and the Soviet Union (defunct).
4. Vinesh Phogat stuns four-time world champion Yui Susaki at Paris Olympics
Vinesh Phogat participated at the Olympics in the 50kg category, where she created the upset of a decade by defeating Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and four-time World Champion Yui Susaki. The Japanese, renowned for her dominance in the wrestling 50kg category, had never lost an international match before her defeat to Vinesh. She had even won gold at the Tokyo Olympics without conceding a single point.
Also Read: Vinesh Phogat most searched personality on google in India in 2024
But Vinesh did the unthinkable that day and lifted the spirit of the entire nation. The 30-year-old Indian kept calm, was defensive in her whole about, and never lost any momentum. In the last 20 seconds, she seized her opportunity, executing a successful takedown to secure victory. However, she was disqualified on the morning of the final after she was found overweight by 100 grams.
3. Manu Bhaker wins double Olympic medal
Manu Bhaker has become a household name in Indian shooting after winning two medals at the Paris Olympics. She won the bronze medal in 10m Air Pistol and mixed team events, the latter with Sarabjot Singh.
Manu created history by becoming the first athlete from the Independent India to win a double Olympic medal in the same edition. However, the journey was never an easy one. Manu came into the limelight at a very young age and was considered to be a huge favourite for the medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
She was doing well at the qualification stage but due to the pistol malfunction, she lost her concentration and failed to qualify for the finals of the 10m air pistol. Even in the 25m and 10m mixed team, Manu underperformed. She was criticized a lot by the fans and experts alike.
Even before going for Paris Olympics, people demeaned her and said she wouldn’t even win a single medal. However, she silenced all her critics and won two precious medals for the country.
Also Read: How Manu Bhaker channelized Tokyo disappointment for near-perfection in Paris
2. D Gukesh becomes youngest chess world champion
Dommaraju Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion at just 18 years old. He defeated China’s Ding Liren with a score of 7.5-6.5 to claim the title. Gukesh is now the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship and the 18th world champion overall.
Before this victory, Gukesh had never beaten Ding Liren in classical chess and had lost to him once. In the final game of the of the 14-game tournament—spanning three weeks— the position of both players was balanced, and it seemed the match would head to a tiebreak.
However, Ding made a critical mistake by playing Rf2 (Rook to f2 on the chessboard). Gukesh immediately spotted the blunder and was in disbelief, realizing he was about to become the World Champion. Ding resigned after recognizing his mistake, and Gukesh, overcome with emotion, couldn’t hold back his tears as he celebrated this historic achievement.
Also Read: A look at Gukesh Dommaraju’s journey to becoming youngest world chess champion
1. Sheetal Devi’s inspirational performance in Paris
Sheetal Devi, the only female international para-archer to excel in the sport without upper limbs, became an inspiration to many at the Paris Paralympics. The 17-year-old was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that results in underdeveloped limbs. Despite her condition, Sheetal showed the world the power of determination.
She finished second in the individual qualification round with a score of 703, breaking the previous world record. However, Oznur from Turkey secured first place with a score of 704, claiming the new world record. Sheetal received immense appreciation from the crowd during her match.
Although she missed out on an individual medal, she won a bronze in the mixed-team event alongside Rakesh Kumar, ensuring she didn’t return from Paris empty-handed.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
- Top 10 athletes with the most Gold medals in Olympics
- Who is Anush Agarwalla, new star of Indian equestrian?
- Top Indian debutants to watch out for in Hangzhou Asian Games 2023
- Sports that will offer Paris Olympic quotas at Hangzhou Asian Games 2023
- Promising Indian fencer Karan Singh Gurjar eyes history with Paris Olympics qualification