Sports Highlights Of 2014

If you’ve clicked on this link, you’ve just tuned into prime time sports news (may not necessarily be at 9pm)! The only difference: it recaps the whole year and not just one day. As the year draws to a close, it’s only apt (and clichéd) that we do this.

So let’s have it: looking back at 2014 (sports lover edition). Here’s the top 10 of 2014.

10. BWF Super Series – Badminton

The BWF Super Series Masters Finals was won by Chen Long from China in the Men’s Singles Category and Tai Tsu-Ying from Chinese Taipei in the Women’s Singles Category. It was held in Dubai in December.

9. World Championship – Chess

In the World Chess Championship, world champion Magnus Carlsen took on challenger Viswanathan Anand. Carlsen won 6.5-3.5. Even in 2013, Carlsen defeated Anand to win the title.

8. FIA World – Formula One

The championship took place from 16^th March to 23^rd November. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton led the points tally most of the year and went on to win the Driver’s Championship with 384 points and 11 victories. Mercedes also won the Constructor’s Championship.

7. Champions Trophy – Hockey

The Men’s Champions Trophy was held in India in December. Germany won the tournament, defeating Pakistan 2-0 in the final. Australia finished 3^rd and the hosts, India, 4^th.

The Women’s Champions Trophy took place in Argentina in November-December. The hosts emerged as the winners, defeating Australia 3-1 in the finals. Netherlands was 3^rd and New Zealand 4^th.

6. NBA Finals – Basketball

The NBA finals took place between Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, with the Spurs winning the title 4-1. Even in 2013, the finals were played between the Heat and the Spurs, but the Heat had emerged winners.

In the WNBA, Phoenix Mercury beat Chicago Sky 3-0 in the finals.

5. The Asian Games

The Games took place in Incheon, South Korea in September-October. China finished first, with 342 medals and151 gold, followed by the hosts, South Korea. India placed a disappointing 8th position.

4. ICC World Twenty 20 – Cricket

The much anticipated ICC World Twenty 20 took place in March-April. Sri Lanka won the final, defeating India by 6 wickets in a match that was pretty much a one-sided affair.

The ICC Women’s World Twenty 20 took place simultaneously. Australia won, beating England by 4 wickets in the final.

3. The Commonwealth Games

The Games took place in the beautiful city of Glasgow in July-August. England bagged the most number of medals, followed by Australia in second, Canada in 3^rd, the hosts, Scotland, in 4^th and India in 5^th.

2. Tennis – the Grand Slams and IPTL

This year, all 4 grand slams saw different winners in both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles Category. This year also marked the launch of the IPTL- International Premier Tennis League, which saw many big tennis stars come to India. This will be taken this in the next article on how it was one of the major sports events in India in 2014 and promises to make tennis in India big.

1. FIFA World Cup – Football

This year the much-awaited FIFA Football World Cup took place in Brazil in June-July. Germany were crowned the champions, defeating Argentina in the final by one goal, scored during extra time. Final score: 1-0. Netherlands placed 3^rd and the hosts, Brazil, 4^th. Since this deserves more attention, it will be taken up as the biggest sports event in the world in 2014 in a following article.

Keep a look out for the next two articles, so that we can wrap up the year in style!