Sports Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Former world billiards champion Manoj Kothari passed away at 67 in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu due to a massive cardiac arrest. Kothari won the World Billiards Championship in 1990. He was a 16-time State Champion in his career. In 2005, he received the Dhyan Chand Award, India’s highest lifetime achievement award in sports. In 2025, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India.

Notes:
The 2nd Khelo India Beach Games officially began on 5th January 2026 at Ghoghla Beach in Diu. More than 2,100 athletes are participating across eight different sports in the event. The games are being organised by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and national sports federations. The event will be held from 5th to 10th January 2026. There are six medal sports: Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Pencak Silat, and Open Water Swimming. Two events, Mallakhamb and Tug of War, are included as non-medal events.

Notes:
Anahat Singh, India’s top-seeded squash player, won the silver medal in the women’s U-19 final at the British Junior Open Squash Championships. The final was held at the University of Birmingham, England. She lost to France’s Lauren Baltayan with scores 9-11, 11-7, 3-11, 9-11. In the semifinals, Anahat had defeated Egypt’s Malika El Karaksy to reach the final.

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The Sports Authority of India (SAI) launched a four-day Sports Sciences Workshop for combat sports coaches at its Sports Science Division in New Delhi to improve scientific coaching methods. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is the apex national sports body of India established by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. It was established in 1984 to continue the legacy of the Ninth Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982. SAI is a registered society fully funded by the Government of India. Its main objectives are promoting sports and achieving excellence at national and international levels.

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Australia women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The 35-year-old cited mental fatigue and recurring injuries as reasons for her decision. She confirmed the home series against India in February–March will be her final assignment for Australia. Her final international appearance will be the one-off Test against India in Perth. Alyssa Healy retires as one of the most successful women cricketers and an eight-time World Cup winner.

Notes:
Recently, the 5th LG Cup Ice Hockey Championship concluded at Biamathang Ice Hockey Ground in Kargil, Ladakh. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) won the men’s title by defeating the Ladakh Scouts of the Indian Army. The final was decided in five minutes of extra time with a decisive winning goal. The tournament also featured speed skating competitions. An exhibition curling match between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh teams added attraction.

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The National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship was inaugurated in Uttarakhand in January 2026. The event was launched virtually from COER University, Roorkee. The championship focuses on Paralympic powerlifting as a sport of resilience, discipline, courage, and self-confidence. It highlights the abilities and determination of persons with disabilities. The objective is to promote inclusive sports, empower persons with disabilities, and provide national-level competitive exposure.

Notes:
Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai reunited at the Australian Open to win the women’s doubles tennis title. The Belgian–Chinese pair defeated Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic 7-6(4), 6-4. This was their ninth Grand Slam doubles title together in just their seventh event as a pair. Mertens now has six Grand Slam titles, including three Australian Opens, while Zhang has three. Mertens secured her 40th week as World Number One in doubles. In mixed doubles, Olivia Gadecki and John Peers defended the Australian Open title, ending a 37-year gap.

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Young Indian shuttler Devika Sihag won her first Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 title at the Thailand Masters in Bangkok. She was leading 21-8, 6-3 in the women’s singles final when Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei retired due to a hamstring injury. Devika Sihag is 20 years old and hails from Haryana. Goh Jin Wei, world No. 68, is a two-time former World Junior Champion. This victory marks the biggest title of Devika Sihag’s career.

Notes:
Olympian Esha Singh won gold in the women’s individual 10 metre air pistol event at the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship in Delhi. The 21-year-old scored 239.8 in the final, winning her second senior Asian Championship individual gold. Cheng Yen-Ching of Chinese Taipei won silver, while Yu Ai-Wen claimed bronze. Esha, Manu Bhaker, and Suruchi Singh won team gold in women’s 10 metre air pistol with 1,726 points. Vietnam won team silver and Chinese Taipei took bronze. In men’s 10 metre air pistol, world champion Samrat Rana won bronze.