Chronicle Editor
The 2024 calendar year of sport was memorable for a variety of reasons from the retirement of tennis greats, Euro 2024 and Cricket T20 glory and an undisputed champion.
We take a look back on the past 12 months and picked out the top five moments from 2024.
Oleksandr Usyk Seals Undisputed Greatness
In one of the most eagerly anticipated boxing bouts of the past quarter century, Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious with a stunning split-decision win in his heavyweight unification bout against Tyson Fury.
With all the heavyweight belts on the line for the first time since 1999, the brilliant Ukrainian boxed and battled his way to a victory against the previously unbeaten Gypsy King in Saudi Arabia.
In an unforgettable back-and-forth battle, both men had their moments, but it was round nine that would live forever in the memory.
Having fought his way back into the fight, Usyk landed a massive left hook before launching an onslaught that brought the towering Fury to the brink, as he wobbled and stumbled across the ring for what seemed like an eternity.
Yet, the Brit’s heart was on full display as he battled through the remaining rounds to take the fight the distance, even winning round 12 on all three judges’ scorecards.
A narrow decision went against him, but December’s rematch offers an immediate redemption arc to the already storied career of the Mancunian.
Murray and Nadal Say Goodbye to Tennis
Tennis bid an emotional farewell to two of its most iconic figures in 2024, as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal called time on their illustrious careers.
Murray’s swan song came at the Paris Olympics, where he delivered some truly remarkable performances alongside doubles partner Dan Evans.
In a run that captured the spirit of his career – gritty, determined, and packed full of heart – Murray helped save five match points before edging to a dramatic 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9 first round win over Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel.
While disappointed to bow out in the quarter-finals in Paris, his final appearance at Wimbledon earlier that summer had already provided a fitting farewell for the greatest of Brits.
Murray was given a well-deserved hero’s send-off amid inevitable tears as fans (and Sue Barker) reflected on a truly outstanding career, which saw him become the first British man in 77 years to claim men’s singles glory at SW19 – not once, but twice.
came in bittersweet fashion during a Davis Cup tie between Spain and the Netherlands in November.
Battling the passage of time and the strain of an injury-ravaged career, the legendary Mallorcan fell in straight sets (4-6, 4-6) to Botic van de Zandschulp in what would be his final competitive appearance.
The 38-year-old Spaniard’s departure brings an extraordinary career to a close, one that saw him capture 22 Grand Slam titles – including an astounding 14 at the French Open.
The retirements of Murray and Nadal leave Novak Djokovic as the last active member of the fabled “Big Four” still competing at the highest level.
Spain Seals Euro 2024 Glory
In an action-packed summer of sport, Spain stole the headlines with a superb display to claim glory at the .
An outstanding campaign saw La Roja win all seven games, culminating in a superb 2-1 win against England in the final in Munich.
In a tournament with few outstanding sides, the Spanish stood head and shoulders above the competition. Blending an aggressive press with their traditional tiki-taka, Luis de la Fuente’s side proved deserving winners in July.
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal – perhaps one of the stories of the year – emerged as the superstar of the competition, with his sumptuous goal in the final one of the highlights of the tournament.
Now four-time European champions, an exciting future lies in wait for a new breed of Spanish talent. For England, it was another painful near-miss, extending their 58-year wait for a major trophy.
Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth Formula 1 Title
Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, Max Verstappen secured a historic fourth Formula 1 World Championship with a superb performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.
In a pragmatic but suitably seasoned performance, Verstappen’s fifth-place finish was enough to secure the championship in a season where his Red Bull car had suffered an alarming dip in race pace.
Starting fifth on the grid, and focused solely on finishing ahead of title rival Lando Norris, the Flying Dutchman executed his strategy with clinical precision that has become the hallmark of his fourth world title victory.
The historic triumph places the supremely talented Verstappen among the F1 elite, with his achievement matching the four-title tallies of legends Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel.
In a year of turmoil for Red Bull, Verstappen’s fourth world title must surely go down as his most impressive achievement to date.
India’s Victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
India reclaimed its place at the summit of world cricket by winning the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup with a thrilling victory over South Africa in Barbados. June’s dramatic victory ended a long wait for T20 glory. India last won the T20 World Cup in 2007.
The final in Bridgetown, Barbados, proved a nail-biter as India set the standard with a formidable target of 177 – the highest ever in a men’s T20 World Cup final.
Betting tipsters said “South Africa matched them blow for blow, but a brilliant display of bowling and an extraordinary catch by Suryakumar Yadav helped secure a famous victory for the Indians”.
The T20 World Cup triumph ensured jubilant and emotional celebrations both on the field and in India. The Men in Blue had endured painful defeats to Australia in the finals of both the ODI Cricket World Cup and the World Test Championship earlier in the year.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter