As 2024 comes to an end, we look back on a year full of amazing achievements, thrilling finishes, and unforgettable moments. From breaking records to surprising underdog victories, this year gave fans plenty to cheer about. A lot of stars made the return to their respective sport while some called it a day in their illustrious career.
In this list, we take a look at the top 10 sporting moments of 2024:
10. LeBron James makes NBA history with son
Basketball icon LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, made history as the first father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game. The Los Angeles Lakers’ home crowd erupted in applause as the pair checked in together with four minutes remaining in the second quarter against the Timberwolves—a milestone moment for both the team and the sport.
LeBron, already celebrated as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a legend of the game, started the match and played 13 minutes before teaming up with 20-year-old Bronny. A second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bronny stepped into the spotlight alongside his father, turning a long-held dream into reality.
During the two-and-a-half minutes they played together, LeBron missed two perimeter shots before capping the moment with a signature dunk, while Bronny managed an early rebound but missed a tip-in. Bronny’s first NBA jump shot—a 3-pointer—fell short, yet his presence on the court drew thunderous applause from fans when he was subbed out with 1:19 left in the second quarter.
9. Rodri wins Ballon d’Or
Manchester City midfielder Rodri earned the esteemed Ballon d’Or following an extraordinary season, achieving significant success with both club and country. The 28-year-old was instrumental in City’s fourth straight Premier League title in May, as Pep Guardiola’s squad overtook Arsenal with an impressive nine-game winning streak to clinch the championship. Rodri is the first Premier League player to claim the accolade since Cristiano Ronaldo did so in 2008 during his first stint at Manchester United.
Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who was Rodri’s closest competitor for the Ballon d’Or, chose not to attend the Paris ceremony upon learning he would not be receiving the award. Jude Bellingham finished third in the voting.
8. Alex Pereira’s 2024 domination
Alex Pereira lit up the UFC in 2024 with an incredible 3 title defenses in 2024. The Brazilian successfully defended his light-heavyweight world title three times in 2024, after capturing the belt in November. He stepped in on short notice to save the day at UFC 300 and UFC 303, before delivering a dominant performance against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 earlier this month.
There had been some controversy surrounding the stoppage in their first encounter, with some believing Prochazka could have continued. However, Pereira left no room for doubt in their rematch, landing a powerful head kick that left his Czech opponent stunned and unable to continue.
Another unexpected opportunity arose with UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. Rather than facing top contender Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira stepped in to fight number eight-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. Despite a challenging training camp and a tough start against the Muay Thai specialist, Pereira found his rhythm as the fight went on. The pressure eventually overwhelmed Rountree, allowing Pereira to stop him and retain his title with another dominant performance.
7. Simone Biles completes Olympics redemption
Simone Biles arrived in Paris with a mission to make history and complete her “redemption tour” after withdrawing from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. In Paris, she accomplished that goal in spectacular fashion. Biles led the United States to a gold medal in the Gymnastics Artistic Team All-Around final at Bercy Arena, guiding a team of five, including Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, and 16-year-old Hezly Rivera.
This remarkable US team etched their names in Olympic history, and now, Biles has given them a moniker that will forever be remembered. Biles’ medal – her eighth overall and fifth gold across three Olympic appearances – cemented her status as the most decorated American gymnast in history.
6. India’s Olympic success
India made a strong impact at the 2024 Olympics, securing six medals, including one silver and five bronze. Star performers like Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale, Aman Sehrawat, and the Indian hockey team contributed to the success.
Manu Bhaker made history, becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games. She claimed bronze in both the women’s 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol events. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin world champion, won a silver with a throw of 89.45m, becoming only the second Indian male athlete to win two Olympic medals in an individual event.
The Indian hockey team, along with Swapnil and Aman, added bronze medals to the tally. In tennis, Rohan Bopanna made history by winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and Sumit Nagal entered the ATP Top 100, signaling hope for the future.
5. Rafael Nadal calls it a day on his legendary career
Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal officially announced his retirement on Thursday, revealing that the Davis Cup Finals in November would mark his final tournament. Throughout his illustrious career, Nadal amassed 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open victories. Turning professional at just 15, Nadal made his ATP Tour debut in 2002, and alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, formed the Big Three, who together dominated tennis for over a decade.
Nadal’s retirement marks the end of a golden era in tennis. Along with Federer and Djokovic, he helped create a period of unmatched greatness in the sport. Their rivalries produced legendary matches that tested both physical and mental limits.
4. Champions Trophy impasse ends
Tensions between the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) began when Pakistan was awarded the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The BCCI quickly raised concerns about security in Pakistan and political issues, stating India might refuse to travel.
The PCB defended its right to host, accusing India of mixing politics with cricket. In response, the BCCI argued player safety should come first and pushed for an alternative venue.
After a lot of back-and-forth, the ICC decided to move the Champions Trophy 2025 to a neutral venue. PCB chose Dubai over Sri Lanka for the neutral venue as Pakistan still holds hosting rights for the mega event. This decision ended the conflict, with both boards agreeing to respect the new location. Pakistan is set to host the first ICC tournament since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
3. Return of the legend Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, one of the most iconic figures in boxing history, made headlines once again with his much-anticipated return to the ring. Known for his explosive power and fierce persona, Tyson was once the youngest heavyweight champion in history. After retiring from the sport in 2005, Tyson has occasionally made public appearances, but his comeback is drawing significant attention from fans and critics alike.
The 58-year-old former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, faced a tough challenge in his comeback fight against 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. In his first professional bout in 19 years, Tyson struggled throughout the eight-round match, ultimately losing to Paul via unanimous decision. It was Tyson’s first sanctioned fight since 2005, and despite his legendary career, he was unable to overcome the younger opponent.
2. Arshad Nadeem makes Olympics history for Pakistan
Arshad Nadeem made history by winning the gold medal in the javelin throw at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Pakistani to achieve such a feat. In the final, Nadeem delivered a remarkable throw of 90.78 meters in his second attempt, setting a new personal best. This throw secured him the top spot, surpassing his rivals and bringing him the gold. Despite facing stiff competition, including world-class athletes, Nadeem remained calm and composed throughout the event.
His victory was a moment of immense pride for Pakistan, as he broke barriers and inspired countless athletes nationwide. His achievement marked a milestone in Pakistan’s Olympic history and highlighted the potential of athletes from developing nations on the global stage. For many Pakistanis, Nadeem’s win is a symbol of hope and determination. It shows that, with the right support and dedication, success is possible even on the global stage.
1. India triumphs at T20 World Cup
In 2024, India’s journey to T20 World Cup glory was truly remarkable. The tournament began with high expectations, and the Indian team was eager to showcase their skills. With a blend of experienced players and new talent, they quickly hit their stride.
Despite a tough match against Pakistan where the batting faltered, Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling attack was outstanding, keeping the opposition under control and taking crucial wickets.
In the final against South Africa, their bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, kept the opposition’s total competitive. Chasing 160 runs for the title, India lost early wickets, with South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj dismissing the captain and Rishabh Pant for ducks.
But Virat Kohli, with his calm and aggressive 76, steered India to a respectable total. In the final moments, Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant bowling spell (18 runs and two wickets) and Hardik Pandya’s crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen helped India lift their second T20 World Cup title.
As the Indian team celebrated their victory, fans across the nation erupted in joy. India had won with heart, determination, and unity, cementing their position as a dominant force in world cricket.
Read More: Top 10 Football Moments of 2024
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
