What did India achieve in sports this year?
What's the story
Starting with the Rio Olympics held in August, then Paralympics in September and Kabaddi World Cup in October, sports was one of the main trending topics in India this year. With many medals and championships won, Indian sport saw high growth in the second half of 2016. Let us have a look at how Indian athletes fared post July 2016.
2016 Rio Olympics
Indian girls bring glory to the country
India won two medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics held in August. PV Sindhu won silver in the women's singles badminton event while Sakshi Malik won bronze in the women's freestyle wrestling in the 58kg category. Athlete Lalita Babar finished 10th in the women's 3000m steeplechase event. The Indian women's hockey team created history after they qualified for the Olympics after 36 years.
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Dipa Karmakar changes the face of gymnastics in India
After becoming the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, Dipa won accolades for her performance in Rio. Even though she missed the bronze medal by a whisker, her performance was exemplary.
2016 Paralympics
Paralympians put best performance till now
With 19 para-athletes representing India at the 2016 Paralympics, it was the best performance to date. Indian paralympians returned home with four medals, which included two golds. Mariyappan Thangavelu won gold in the men's high jump T42 event, while Varun Singh Bhati won bronze in the same event. Deepa Malik won a silver medal in the women's shot put F53 event.
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Gold and a world record for Devendra
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia won the second gold medal of his career in the men's javelin throw F46 event. Not only that, but the 36-year old bettered his own world record on his way to the gold.
Cricket
India batters West Indies and New Zealand
The Indian cricket team visited the West Indies in July-August for a four match test series. India won two test matches, while two ended in a draw. In September-October, New Zealand visited India for three test matches and five ODIs. India crushed the Kiwis 3-0 in tests and won the ODI series 3-2. India will now host England for a long tour.
October 2016
500th test and reclaiming the number one spot in tests
India played its 500th test match at Kanpur and also won the match by 197 runs. It was a special match for off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took his 200th wicket in the match and became the second quickest bowler in the world to reach the mark. India reclaimed the number one spot in the test rankings after defeating NZ in the third test match.
Kabaddi
India win their third consecutive World Cup
The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup was held in Ahmedabad from 7-22 October 2016. 12 nations from all over the world participated in the tournament. India defeated Iran in the finals of the tournament and won their third consecutive title. The world cup did not feature the Pakistani team due to the deteriorating bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
Hockey
Indian men and women win Asian Champions Trophy
The Indian men's team defeated their arch rivals Pakistan in the finals of the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy in Malaysia to lift their second title. In the women's tournament held in Singapore, the Indian women's team defeated China to clinch their maiden Asian Champions Trophy title. India won 2-1 after the second goal was scored with just 17 seconds left in the game.
Football
Bengaluru FC make India proud
Bengaluru FC created history by becoming the first Indian football club to reach the finals of the Asian Football Confederation Cup finals by defeating Johor Darul Ta'zim in the semis. Even though they were handed a loss by Iraq's Air Force Club in the finals, the club won the hearts of millions of football fans across the country with their performance.
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India defeat Puerto Rico in international friendly
The Indian football team defeated Puerto Rico in an international friendly match held in Mumbai in September 2016. The hosts, who are ranked below the visitors, went on to win the match 4-1.