Sports - General Knowledge Questions

Correct Answer :   India

India is set to host the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup at the iconic IGI Stadium in New Delhi from January 13-19, 2025, marking a landmark moment in the world of traditional sports. In a major boost to the tournament, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially confirmed its partnership with Worlthe Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), pledging unwavering support for the event.

In a statement to KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal, IOA President PT Usha expressed the association's strong commitment to elevating indigenous sports like Kho Kho. The IOA has vowed to provide comprehensive support to enhance the tournament's visibility, ensuring maximum outreach and success.

"We recognize the significance of this event in celebrating our cultural heritage and promoting traditional sports, and we look forward to collaborating with Kho Kho Federation of India to ensure the success of the tournament. Together, we aim to make this event memorable and impactful, encouraging the spirit of sportsmanship among participants and fostering a deeper appreciation for Kho Kho worldwide," PT Usha said, according to KKFI release.

KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal expressed heartfelt gratitude to the IOA, acknowledging the tremendous boost the partnership brings to the tournament.

"The support of the IOA, led by President PT Usha, is a game-changer for Kho Kho. This collaboration is pivotal in putting Kho Kho on the global map, and we're thrilled to be hosting the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, a truly historic event for the sport," Mittal said.

The Kho Kho World Cup will feature both men's and women's teams with a stunning 24 countries from six continents set to compete. Teams from Asia, including hosts India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, will face off alongside competitors from Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania.

Nations like Ghana, Kenya, England, Germany, Brazil and Australia will be among the participants, highlighting the growing global appeal of Kho Kho, the release said.

This multi-nation, high-energy tournament is poised to elevate Kho Kho to new heights, generating excitement and sparking worldwide interest in the sport.

With IOA's backing, the World Cup is set to become a defining moment in the sport's history, inspiring athletes and fans alike to embrace Kho Kho. In the years to come, the sport is expected to gain even greater traction, not just in India, but across the globe, as it takes its place on the international sports map..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   West Bengal

West Bengal dominated the 4th National Finswimming Championship 2024, securing the top spot with an impressive 151 medals, comprising 67 gold, 43 silver, and 41 bronze medals.

The championship, held in New Delhi, saw participation from 1500 swimmers from 26 states and union territories.

West Bengal's outstanding performance highlighted its strength in finswimming, surpassing other strong contenders like Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.

The event, organized by the Underwater Sports Federation of India, showcased India's growing talent in this aquatic sport.

Correct Answer :   Kolkata

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen showcased his dominance at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, securing both the rapid and blitz titles.

In the blitz event, the Norwegian grandmaster amassed an unassailable 12 points with a round to spare, thanks to a remarkable performance that included a dramatic comeback against Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi.

Carlsen's triumph in Kolkata marked his second double victory at the tournament, replicating his success from 2019.

Magnus reflects on his experience playing in Kolkata and his performance at this edition of the Tata Steel Chess India.#tsci2024 #TSCI #tatasteelchessindia #chess #indianchess #kolkata #magnuscarlsen pic.twitter.com/RX4L1OulWF

— Tata Steel Chess India (@tschessindia) November 17, 2024

Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley So staged an impressive comeback, winning six consecutive games and seven of his last eight, to claim second place with 11.5 points.

Reflecting on his performance, Carlsen acknowledged the intense pressure he faced but expressed satisfaction with his overall result.

"It was a really, really nervy day. I was lucky that Wesley was the one who went on a big streak because he couldn't realistically catch me. Overall, the tournament win is good. The score is not great but very decent, so I'm happy," he said.

Magnus reflects on his experience playing in Kolkata and his performance at this edition of the Tata Steel Chess India.#tsci2024 #TSCI #tatasteelchessindia #chess #indianchess #kolkata #magnuscarlsen pic.twitter.com/RX4L1OulWF

— Tata Steel Chess India (@tschessindia) November 17, 2024

He also revealed his upcoming plans to promote Freestyle Chess with Fabiano Caruana in Singapore and participate in a match against Caruana.

"I'm heading to Singapore in a few hours to promote Freestyle Chess with Fabiano Caruana. I'll be playing a match with Fabi in a few days. It should be fun, and being a tourist at the World Championship for a couple of days will be exciting," added Carlsen.

The Indian contingent put up a commendable showing, with Erigaisi securing third place with 10.5 points, followed by R Praggnanandhaa in fourth with 9.5 points, and Vidit Gujrathi in fifth with 9 points.

In the women's section, three-time Women's World Blitz champion Kateryna Lagno of Russia emerged victorious with 11.5 points, narrowly edging out compatriot Valentina Gunina, who finished second with 11 points. Aleksandra Goryachkina and India's Vantika Agrawal shared third place with 9.5 points each..

Source : Times of Iindia

Correct Answer :   28 Medals

India secures 28 medals, including 11 golds, along with the prestigious team event title. India delivered a commanding performance at the Bingo World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series powered by World Pickleball League, hosted by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), showcasing their dominance on home soil.

The championship, which concluded with much fanfare, witnessed participation from over 17 countries, 55 international players, and more than 500 Indian athletes, making it one of the largest global events for the sport. Team India stood out as the top-performing nation, clinching an impressive total of 28 medals, including 11 golds, and securing the coveted team event title.

The closing ceremony was a grand affair, graced by eminent dignitaries, including Mr. Ramesh Damani, E Chairman of Dmart; Mr. Sanjeev Mantri, MD and CEO of ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Shreenivas Director DCB Bank, Ms. Madhumati Lele Shrivastava, President of the Cricket Club of India (CCI); and the brand ambassador of pickleball in India, Mandira Bedi.

In the 19 + open category India’s Sonu Vishwakarma defeated Spain’s Mauro Garcia to clinch the gold medal, the match was tight but Sonu maintained the lead right from the 1st point itself, the final score read 21-14, while India’s Kuldip Mahajan defeated Taiwan’s Lin Guang Sian 21-9 to claim bronze medal. In the 35 + Men’s Single’s Category Vietnam’s Carlos Rubio staged an amazing comeback to win gold as he defeated India’s Ankit Mody 21-19. Ankit was leading 19-10 and looked confident of winning the gold, but Carlos made a comeback of the tournament playing exceptional to win the gold. India’s Vivek Reddy defeated Rohan Salvi to secure bronze medal in the same category, the final score read 15-7.

In the 19+  women’s doubles category Australia’s Andie Dikosavljevic and India’s Vrushali Thakare defeated Philippines Anna Clarice Patri and Australia’s Ludovica Sciaky to secure gold with the final score 21-9. Australia’s Nicola schoeman and Danni – Elle Townsend defeated Aiko Yoshitomi and Mihika Yadav to secure bronze.

In the 35+ women’s doubles category India’s Priyanka Mehta and Shraddha Damani defeated Sindoor Mittal and Simran Bangera to grab gold with a score of 21-6, India’s Pooja Rao and Radhika Trivedi defeated Shakuntala Devnani and Gayatri Mewada to secure bronze.

In the 19+ women’s singles category Korea’s Mihae Kwon fought through pain to defeated Kate Morris 21-10 to win the gold medal. India’s Mihika Yadav defeated Australia’s Danni – Elle Townsend 15-4 to secure bronze.

In the 35+ women’s category India’s Priyanka Mehta defeated Gayatri Mewada 15-6 to secure gold medal. In the Men’s doubles 19 + category Korea’s Kim Eung Gwon and India’s Mayur Patil defeated Australia’s George Wall and Lucas Pascoe with a score of 21-16 to secure gold. Japan’s Kenta Miyoshi and India’s Stavya Bhasin defeated India’s pair of Tejas Mahajan and Vanshik Kapadia with a score of 21-8 to secure bronze..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Odisha

Odisha made history by winning its first-ever gold medal in the 14th Senior National Hockey Championship, defeating two-time champion Haryana 5-1 in the final.

Shilanand Lakra's hat-trick sealed the victory for Odisha. The team's exceptional display of skill, speed, and fitness, coupled with strategic play and relentless energy, outclassed Haryana.

Odisha's head coach, Bijay Kumar Lakra, credited the win to the team's fitness and strategic execution.

This triumph marks a significant milestone for Odisha in Indian hockey, showcasing its emerging talent and potential.

Correct Answer :   GM Aravindh Chithambaram

Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram secured a notable victory in the Chennai Grand Masters 2024, outperforming American Grandmaster Levon Aronian.

This prestigious tournament, organized by MGD1 and sponsored by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, featured two categories: Masters and Challengers.

Meanwhile, GM V Pranav delivered an impressive performance in the Challengers section, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition to claim the title.

Aravindh Chithambaram's win showcases his skill and reinforces his position among the world's top chess players.

Correct Answer :   Tayyab Ikram

Tayyab Ikram was re-elected as President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for a 4-year term during the 49th FIH Statutory Congress held in Muscat, Oman.

Ikram initially assumed this role in 2022 after Narinder Batra’s resignation.

As the only candidate following the nomination process, he continues to lead the organization, which is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The FIH, founded in 1924 in Paris, oversees global hockey administration, promoting the sport and organizing international tournaments.

Correct Answer :   Uma Mahesh

Uma Mahesh, a 20-year-old shooter, achieved remarkable success by clinching the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle men's team event at the FISU World University Championship held in New Delhi.

This victory adds to his impressive record, which includes two ISSF World Cup gold medals and an Asian Championship gold.

His achievement showcases his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport, earning recognition and pride for his country.

Uma Mahesh's training under Neha Chavan and affiliation with Gagan Narang's Gun for Glory Academy undoubtedly contributed to his success.

Correct Answer :   Arjun Erigaisi

Arjun Erigaisi achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the world's No. 2 spot in live chess ratings on November 7th.

His victory over Alexey Sarana in Round 3 of the Chennai Grand Masters tournament propelled him to a live rating of 2805.8, surpassing renowned players Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura.

Currently, only Magnus Carlsen ranks above Erigaisi, with a rating of 2831.0 points.

This accomplishment underscores Erigaisi's exceptional skill and positions him among the global chess elite. Notably, he also became the 16th player in history to reach 2800 rating points, demonstrating his rapid rise in the chess world.

Correct Answer :   Tanushree Pandey

Tanushree Pandey secured the Silver Medal at the World Soft Tennis Championship held in Jingshan, China.

In the final match, she faced a close defeat against Chiang Min Yu of Chinese Taipei with a score of 3-4.

Earlier, Tanushree demonstrated exceptional skill by defeating her Japanese opponent 4-3 in the semifinals.

Her achievement brings pride to India, showcasing her talent and determination in the sport.

Tanushree's silver medal win highlights India's growing presence in international soft tennis competitions.