1. Sumit Nagal Makes History with First Indian Win in Monte Carlo Masters
Tags: Sports
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal achieved a historic feat by defeating 35th-ranked Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday, April 9, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Nagal's victory in a thrilling three-set match 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 is the first time an Indian player has won a main draw match at the prestigious ATP Masters event.
Ranked 95th and unseeded, Nagal joins the ranks of Vijay Amritraj (1977) and Ramesh Krishnan (1982) as only the third Indian to make the main draw in Monte Carlo.
Additionally, Nagal created history by becoming the first men's Indian singles player to win a Masters 1000 match played on clay.
Monte Carlo Masters:
It is an annual tournament held in France, designed specifically for male professional players.
It is one of nine ATP Tour Masters 1000 events, representing the highest level of competition in men's tennis.
2. Verstappen takes victory in F1 Japanese Grand Prix 2024
Tags: Sports
Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull Racing, clinched victory at the Formula 1 (F1) Japanese Grand Prix 2024.
An Overview of the News
The Japanese Grand Prix took place at the Suzuka International Racing Course located in Suzuka, Japan, spanning from the 5th to the 7th of April 2024.
Securing the second position was Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing from Mexico, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. from Spain claimed the third spot.
Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive Japanese Grand Prix title in 2024, adding to his victories in 2022 and 2023.
He becomes the second driver after Michael Schumacher to achieve three consecutive wins in this event.
Verstappen's victory at the Japanese GP 2024 marks his third win of the 2024 season, having previously triumphed in the Saudi Arabian GP and the Bahrain GP.
This win signifies Verstappen's 57th career victory and his 101st podium finish.
Key Points about the Japanese Grand Prix 2024:
The 2024 Constructors' Championship standings, as of April 8th, are led by the Red Bull Racing-Honda team with 141 points.
Ferrari holds the second position with 120 points, while McLaren Mercedes stands third with 69 points.
The Constructors' Championship standings reflect the cumulative points earned by the top two drivers from each team across various Grand Prix races.
About the Japanese Grand Prix:
The Japanese Grand Prix 2024, officially known as the 'Formula 1 (F1) MSC Cruises Japanese Grand Prix 2024,' marks the 38th edition since its inception in 1976.
3. Bindyarani Devi wins bronze medal at IWF World Cup 2024
Tags: Sports News
Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist Bindyarani Devi won bronze at the IWF World Cup 2024.
An Overview of the News
The IWF World Cup 2024 took place in Phuket, Thailand from March 31 to April 11, 2024.
Both male and female weightlifters participated in the World Cup.
Exclusive Indian Representation:
Bindyarani Devi and Mirabai Chanu were the only two Indian weightlifters to compete at the IWF World Cup 2024.
Bindyarani Devi's bronze medal performance:
Category and Lift: Bindyarani Devi, 25, competed in the women's 55 kg category and achieved a lift of 196 kg.
Lift Breakdown: Her lifts included 83 kg in the snatch and 113 kg in the clean and jerk.
Comparison with previous achievements: While his lifts at the World Cup fell short of his performance at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, where he lifted 203 kg to clinch the silver medal.
Mirabai Chanu's qualification for Paris Olympics 2024:
Finished 12th in the 49kg category at the IWF World Cup 2024.
Despite not winning a medal in the World Cup, she qualified for the Paris Olympics.
The only Indian weightlifter to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Currently ranked second in the Olympic qualification rankings for the 49 kg category.
Paris Olympics 2024 Qualification Details:
The IWF World Cup in Phuket served as the final qualifying event for weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The top 10 ranked lifters in the Olympic qualification rankings for each weight category earn quota spots.
Bindyarani Devi is currently ranked 29th in the Olympic qualification rankings for the women's 59 kg category.
Background of Mirabai Chanu:
Silver medalist in 49 kg category at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Gold medalist at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, USA.
Three-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018 and 2022).
Considered one of the great players of Indian weightlifting.
IWF World Cup 2024 Overview:
Organized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Held in Phuket, Thailand from March 31 to April 11, 2024.
Both male and female weightlifters from different countries were showcased.
North Korea's Kang Hyeon Gyeong won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg category.
Mihaela Cambei of Romania won the silver medal in the same category.
International Weightlifting Federation (IWF):
Established in 1905
The governing body for men's and women's weightlifting worldwide.
Recognized by the International Olympic Association.
It includes 193 member countries.
The headquarters is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chairman: Mohammed Hassan Jaloud.
4. Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden Secure Miami Open Men's Doubles Title 2024.
Tags: Sports News
The men's doubles championship at the 2024 Miami Open Tennis tournament was won by Australian Matthew Ebden and 44-year-old Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna.
An Overview of the News:
The tournament held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, United States, on March 31, 2024.
Despite losing the opening set, they defeated Croatia's Ivan Dodig and the USA's Austin Krajicek.
With their triumph, Bopanna and Ebden were able to take back the top spot in the ATP men's doubles rankings.
Bopanna became the fourth Indian to win the Miami Open, following in the footsteps of Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupati, and Sania Mirza.
Danielle Collins Triumphs in Women's Singles:
Danielle Collins, an American tennis player, defeated Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the championship match to win the women's singles title.
Men's Singles Champion Jannik Sinner Wins:
In the men's singles division, Jannik Sinner of Italy triumphed against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the championship match.
Additional Insights on the Miami Open:
The inaugural competition took place at the Lavers International Tennis Resort in Florida in February 1985.
Named after the Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, professional tennis tournament, it is held there once a year.
Hard Rock Stadium is home to outdoor hard courts where competitions are held.
These events usually take place in late March or early April.
Important Tennis Grand Slams:
The Australian Open kicks off the tennis calendar in mid-January.
The French Open, commonly referred to as Roland Garros, usually graces the tennis scene in late May.
Wimbledon, renowned for its grass courts, captivates audiences towards the end of June.
The US Open, a significant event concluding the Grand Slam calendar, unfolds at the close of August.
5. Arjun Erigaisi becomes India's number 1 chess player, reaches world top 10
Tags: Sports News
Arjun Erigaisi is the new top-ranked Indian chess player in the latest FIDE rankings released by chess's world governing body on April 1, ranking 9th globally with a standard rating of 2756.
An Overview of the News
Erigaisi's stellar performances at events such as the 5th Shenzhen Chess Masters and the Bundesliga saw him break into the top 10 for the first time.
Indian Chess Contingent: Notable Rankings
Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion, follows Erigaisi as the second-ranked Indian with a rating of 2751, securing the 11th position globally.
Young talents like Praggnanandhaa R (14th), Gukesh D (16th), and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (25th) also hold impressive spots in the FIDE rankings.
World Chess Elite: Top Contenders and Ratings
Magnus Carlsen continues to lead the global rankings with a rating of 2830.
Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, both Americans, are seen as favorites to win the Candidates tournament, with ratings of 2803 and 2789 respectively.
Chinese star Ding Liren holds the 5th position with a rating of 2762.
Other strong contenders for the Candidates tournament include Alireza Firouzja from France (6th) and Ian Nepomniachtchi from Russia (7th).
The International Chess Federation (FIDE)
FIDE, also known by its French abbreviation, is an international organization headquartered in Switzerland.
It serves as the governing body for international chess competitions.
FIDE facilitates connections between different national chess federations worldwide.
Its primary role is to oversee and regulate international chess competitions.
Formation - July 20, 1924
President - Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters - Lausanne, Switzerland
6. Maharashtra Triumphs at the 56th National Kho Kho Championship 2023-24
Tags: Sports
Maharashtra emerged victorious in both the men's and women's categories at the 56th National Kho Kho Championship 2023-24.
An Overview of the News:
The Kho Kho Federation of India was the organization behind the 56th National Kho Kho Championship 2023–24.
The competition ran from March 28, 2024, until April 1, 2024.
Information about the Championship:
The competition was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi.
Thirty-seven teams, split into eight groups each, competed in the men's and women's divisions.
Prizes:
In addition to a trophy, the winning Maharashtra team took home a monetary award of Rs 3 lakh.
A trophy and a monetary prize of Rs 2 lakh were given to the runner-up team.
Men’s Category:
Maharashtra defeated the Indian Railway team in the championship game held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Even though the score was equal at 32-32 at the end of regulation time, Maharashtra won thanks to a 52-50 point third inning.
With a score of 30-28 points, Maharashtra defeated the Kolhapur squad in the semi-final as well.
Women's category:
The Maharashtra women's team, led by Sampada Maurya, defeated the Airport Authority of India team in the championship match.
Maharashtra won by a final score of 18–16 points.
With a score of 24–20 points, Maharashtra defeated Odisha in the semi-final.
About Kho Kho:
After Kabaddi, Kho Kho is a traditional Indian sport that is regarded as the second most popular traditional sport.
It is suitable for outdoor and indoor play.
The Kho Kho Federation of India staged the first-ever National Championship in 1959 after the sport's inception in 1914 with its maiden competition.
Recognition on a global scale:
Both the Third South Asian Federation Games in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1987 and the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics featured Kho Kho as a showcase sport.
The Asian Kho Kho Federation Championship, the first Asian-level competition, was held in Kolkata in 1996.
Kho Kho Day, National/International:
To raise awareness of the game, June 30 is designated as National/International Kho Kho Day.
India's Kho Kho Federation:
The government-recognized Kho Kho Federation of India was founded in 1955 and has its main office in New Delhi.
President Sudhanshu Mitta is in charge of it.
7. MS Dhoni became the first wicketkeeper in the world to take 300 wickets in T20 cricket
Tags: Sports News
Indian cricket icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni achieved a significant feat in T20 cricket at the Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, becoming the first wicketkeeper in the world to take 300 wickets in the format.
An Overview of the News:
Dhoni took the catch of Prithvi Shaw during the match against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, which was his 300th wicket behind the stumps in T20 cricket.
Ahead of IPL 2024, Dhoni left his captaincy role at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and handed over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Dhoni's tally includes 213 catches and 87 stumpings, taking him to a total of 300 wickets in his illustrious T20 career.
After Dhoni, former Pakistani keeper Kamran Akmal is at the second position with 274 dismissals (172 catches and 102 stumpings), while Dinesh Karthik is at the third position with 274 dismissals (207 catches and 67 stumpings).
Top five keepers: Quinton de Kock is fourth with 270 dismissals (221 catches and 49 stumpings), while Jos Buttler is fifth with 209 dismissals (168 catches and 41 stumpings).
8. Hardik Singh and Salima Tete win top honors at Hockey India Awards 2023
Hardik Singh and Salima Tete were named male and female players of the year respectively at the Hockey India Awards 2023 in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
Indian men's team vice-captain Hardik Singh was part of the hockey team that won the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2023 Olympics and the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023.
Salima Tete, an Olympian, was in the women's team that won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Hardik Singh also won the Midfielder of the Year award.
Salima Tete was selected as the winner of the Asian Hockey Federation's Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2023.
Munich 1972 Olympic bronze medalist Ashok Kumar was honored with the Hockey India Lifetime Achievement Award, named after his father Dhyan Chand, for his contribution to the sport.
Ashok Kumar scored the winning goal in the 1975 World Cup final in Kuala Lumpur.
Personal Honors:
PR Sreejesh received the Hockey India Baljeet Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year.
Manpreet Singh was celebrated for completing 350 international caps for the Indian men's hockey team.
Savita Punia and Harmanpreet Singh were celebrated for achieving the milestone of 250 and 200 international caps respectively for India.
Harmanpreet Singh also won the Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year.
Abhishek won the Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year.
The Hangzhou Asian Games gold medal-winning Indian men's team and the bronze medal-winning Indian women's hockey team were felicitated.
Hockey India Awards 2023 winners
Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Ashok Kumar
Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year (Men): Hardik Singh
Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year (Women): Salima Tete
Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year recipient: PR Sreejesh
Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year recipient: Harmanpreet Singh
Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year recipient: Hardik Singh
Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year recipient: Abhishek
Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21): Deepika Soreng
Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21): Araijeet Singh Hundal
9. Carlos Sainz wins Australian Grand Prix
Tags: Sports
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz made a remarkable comeback just two weeks after appendicitis surgery to win the Australian Grand Prix.
An Overview of the News
The race also included the unexpected retirement of Red Bull's reigning world champion Max Verstappen, his first comeback in two years.
Sainz faced off competition from Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc to take victory.
Podium Finisher
McLaren's Lando Norris finished third, scoring his first podium of the season.
Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri finished an impressive fourth, while Red Bull's Sergio Pérez finished fifth.
Championship Standings
Despite his retirement, Max Verstappen remains at the top of the championship standings, four points ahead of Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc earned an extra point for setting the fastest lap, with Sergio Pérez finishing one point behind him in third.
Sainz is 11 points behind Verstappen in fourth.
10. Virat Kohli created history by becoming the first Indian to score 12,000 T20 runs
Tags: Sports Person in news
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to score 12,000 runs in the T20 format.
An Overview of the News
Kohli achieved the remarkable feat during the opening match of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Kohli holds many records in the IPL, including the most runs with 7,284 runs in 239 matches and 230 innings.
His IPL batting average is 37.24, with a strike rate of 130.02.
Kohli's highest individual score in the IPL is 113, scoring seven centuries and 50 half-centuries in the tournament.
Details of Kohli's T20 runs
Kohli's 12,000 runs include his scores for RCB in the IPL and the now-defunct Champions League, for Delhi in domestic Twenty-over cricket, and for India in T20 Internationals.
Rohit Sharma is the second-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket for India with a total of 11,156 runs.
Global T20 Run-Scorer
The list of highest T20 run scorers is topped by former West Indies opener Chris Gayle, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and West Indies player Kieron Pollard.
T20I Contribution
Kohli has scored 4037 runs in T20 Internationals representing India, including one century.
