The year 2024 brought fans incredible moments across various sports, showcasing remarkable talent and memorable achievements along the way. From badminton triumphs to heart-stopping F1 races, and record-shattering home runs to prestigious football awards, this retrospective captures it all.
Indian badminton player Lakshya Sen made headlines by progressing to the semi-finals of the King Cup International Badminton Open 2024, held last weekend in Shenzhen, China. Sen, ranked 12th globally, overcame 17th-ranked Angus Ng Ka Long after starting slow. The Indian athlete battled back from losing the first game, finishing 10-21, 21-13, 21-13, marking his first victory over Ng Ka Long after three previous defeats.
"The moment when you realize you can beat someone you've lost to before is just fantastic. I feel like I've improved so much by playing against tougher competitors,” Sen shared post-match. His exciting semifinal showdown awaits against 18-year-old Hu Zhe An, who turned heads by defeating former world champion Loh Kean Yew.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has burst onto the European football stage as one of the most thrilling young talents. Reflecting on his year, he shared, "I have got more and more confidence and experience at Barça. There is an infectious energy among the squad...” His positive sentiments noted the camaraderie among players, many of whom came up through La Masia together.
With the football grounds buzzing with anticipation, the motorsport world has seen its own share of excitement. Gabriel Bortoleto stole the limelight by clinching the F2 Drivers’ Championship, joining elite company by achieving back-to-back titles across F3 and F2. Throughout the season, Bortoleto showcased extraordinary racing prowess during thrilling rounds at Silverstone and beyond, culminating with nail-biting finishes at Yas Marina.
The F2 Championship was tightly contested, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Bortoleto’s pivotal triumph witnessed him secure the title by mere fractions of points across several rounds, emphasizing the fierce spirit of competition this year.
Shifting away from the race tracks and onto the baseball diamonds, 2024 was also remarkable for its record-breaking home runs. Utilizing Statcast, fans watched as sluggers smashed impressive long balls this season. Among the standout home runs were Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 471-foot shot at Fenway Park and Aaron Judge's massive 477-foot blast on August 2, showcasing the raw power and skill on display.
Continuing their home run parade, the Miami Marlins’ Jesús Sánchez made headlines with the year’s longest home run at 480 feet, leaving fans astounded. He expressed satisfaction with his performance saying, "That one felt good!"
Finally, Real Madrid capped off the sports year with remarkable consistency and success by being acknowledged as the best club at the Globe Soccer 2024 Awards ceremony held recently in Dubai. José Ángel Sánchez, the club's general manager, received the award and attributed the achievement to hard work, saying, "There are no secrets to success; you have to work hard. Football changes daily, and you have to adapt to these changes." This year, Madrid clinched five titles, including the Super Cup, LaLiga title, and UEFA Super Cup.
The years' sporting events were filled with groundbreaking performances and unforgettable memories, reminding us why sports hold such significant importance within our cultural fabric. From rising stars to champions, 2024 showcased the essence of human triumph and perseverance.
