The year 2025 delivered a spectacular array of sporting moments that captured global attention, from historic triumphs and shocking upsets to emotional comebacks and controversial incidents. As the curtain falls, we reflect on the events that defined the sporting calendar, featuring Indian breakthroughs, global superstars, and stories of incredible human spirit.
Indian Stars Shine on the World Stage
In a landmark achievement for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh scripted history in Georgia. Defeating the legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy in the summit clash, Deshmukh became the youngest-ever Women’s World Cup winner. This victory, over an opponent twice her age, signaled a generational shift in Indian women's chess.
Her path to the title was arduous, seeing off formidable rivals like China's World No.6 Zhu Jiner, veteran Indian GM Harika Dronavalli, and former world champion Tan Zhongyi. As a result of her World Cup win, she was directly conferred the Grandmaster title, becoming only the fourth Indian woman and the 88th Indian overall to earn the prestigious designation.
Another inspiring Indian story came from the Himalayas. In May, 29-year-old visually impaired mountaineer Chhonzin Angmo from Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district conquered Mount Everest. Having lost her vision in Class 3, Angmo's successful summit made her the first visually impaired woman to scale the world's highest peak. She was also part of Operation Blue Freedom, an expedition of specially-abled persons to the Siachen Glacier.
Drama, Controversy, and False Dawns
The chess world witnessed a viral moment of raw emotion when former world champion Magnus Carlsen smashed his fist on the board before resigning a classical game against the reigning world champion, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, at Norway Chess. The act, symbolic of a king's frustration against the young usurper, reverberated globally. Carlsen repeated the gesture later in the year after a loss at the World Blitz Championship.
Controversy erupted at the US Open when Jelena Ostapenko unleashed a post-match outburst against Taylor Townsend, accusing her of having "no class." Townsend responded with grace, while Naomi Osaka contextualized the remarks as deeply offensive in a majority-White sport. Ostapenko later apologized, attributing it to a lapse in "tennis etiquette."
Indian football experienced a fleeting moment of hope. Under new head coach Khalid Jamil, India secured a surprising 2-1 away win against higher-ranked Tajikistan in the CAFA Nations Cup. However, this proved to be a false dawn, as a subsequent listless draw against lower-ranked Singapore dashed India's hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup, underscoring the sport's ongoing struggles.
Global Sporting Highlights of 2025
The year was rich with global narratives. In golf, Rory McIlroy ended an 11-year wait, winning the Masters in a playoff to complete the Career Grand Slam, triggering a global outpouring of support for the fallible superstar.
Paris Saint-Germain, having moved on from its superstar era, finally captured the Champions League, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 under Luis Enrique. In boxing, Terrence Crawford achieved a monumental feat, jumping two weight classes to defeat the favoured Canelo Alvarez, ending the Mexican's reign.
Athletics provided breathtaking finishes. Tanzania's Alphonce Felix Simbu edged Germany's Amanal Petros by a mere 0.03 seconds in the World Championships marathon, the closest-ever finish in the event's history. In javelin, Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott, coached by Neeraj Chopra's former mentor Klaus Bartonietz, won a surprise world title in Tokyo at 32.
From the wrestling mat, a poignant moment emerged when North Korea's Won Myong-gyong, after winning the women's 50kg world title, hugged all three referees in long, tearful embraces, offering a powerful reminder of sport's universal emotional language.
These moments, spanning chessboards, mountain peaks, and stadiums worldwide, defined a year where sport once again proved its power to inspire, outrage, and unite.
