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The year 2023 has finally come to an end, and it was one of the most action packed year for sports.

As we get ready to ring in the new year, we look back at some of the top moments of sporting excellence as well as moments that defined the sporting landscape in the world.

So we have moments that we’re historic, like a World Cup win. Moments that were controversial, like a kiss without consent. Biggest comeback wins that left our jaws drop in awe. Moments only superhumans could achieve. And much more.

Here are First Sports’ picks for top sporting moments in 2023:

Luis Rubiales kiss controversy

A neat finish from Olga Carmona in the 28th minute was all it took for Spain to thwart England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Sydney on 20 August.

England, who had only recently been crowned European champions, would miss out on the global title yet again while Spain would be crowned champions for the first time ever following their 1-0 victory.

What should have been a defining moment for the Spanish women’s football team however, was ruined by one man — RFEF president Luis Rubiales.

Spain were enjoying their World Cup win and were were dancing with their coach. And then the football federation chief Rubiales decided to join in on the festivities.

But instead of celebrating the win, he forcefully kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony, taking away the spotlight away from the women’s team performance.

There was a massive outrage across the world, and Rubiales’ scandalous act was met with protests back home in Spain. Rubiales was eventually sacked and then banned from football for 3 years.

Hermoso had to lay low for a while and was almost sidelined from the national team’s call-up. It was this moment that put the highlight on creating a safe space for women athletes.

Jannik Sinner stuns Novak Djokovic

World number one and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was all set to win the Davis Cup for his country Serbia. He had been carrying on with his good form after winning the ATP Masters, and was a firm favourite heading into the match that mattered the most.

Except there was an Italian who would end up playing spoilsport in Jannik Sinner, with the 22-year-old sinner pulling off a shock victory over Djokovic in the singles match and later winning the doubles encounter as well.

Sinner’s heroics would help Italy win their first Davis Cup since 1976. And he instantly became a hero in back home.

Sinner will now be back in the court against Djokovic in January next year, and the two could meet in the Australian Open, where the latter will be eyeing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam.

Mitchell Starc becomes costliest player in IPL history

The IPL Auction that took place earlier this month witnessed some record breaking buys, with Australia pacer Mitchell starc became the costliest player in the history of the world’s richest T20 league.

Welcome back, record-breaker! pic.twitter.com/KwSZui8GBj

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 19, 2023

Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would end up shelling a whopping Rs 24.75 crore to secure the services of Starc, who ended up breaking the all-time record that Australia teammate Pat Cummins had set earlier in the same auction after joining Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.5 crore.

Rinku Singh smashes five consecutive sixes

Speaking of KKR, who can forget middle-order batter Rinku Singh smashing five consecutive sixes off Gujarat Titans pacer Yash Dayal at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium in this year’s Indian Premier League.

Read | ‘Rinku Singh! Remember the name!’, Netizens in awe after KKR’s thrilling win

Rinku was on crease in the final over and KKR needed 28 runs to win from five deliveries. GT skipper Hardik Pandya decided to hand Dayal the ball to stop Rinku in the final over.

But what we saw was an onslaught of sixes, with the left handed batter smashed the ball out of the ground one after the other, carving out one of the most stunning cameos in IPL history.

LeBron James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record

The Los Angeles Lakers were trailing behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and the ball was with LeBron James, who shot a fade-away to score 2 points, a shot that would end up becoming historic.

It was at that moment that LeBron broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record and became the highest scorer in NBA history. And what a moment it turned out to be because Abdul-Jabbar was present on the sidelines, and immediately went up to LeBron to congratulate him.

The Laker was given a standing ovation, for breaking a record that stood for almost four decades.

LeBron now has over 39-thousand points and has no plans on slowing down anytime soon, reiterating the legend that he is turning out to be.

Parul Chaudhary wins Asian Games 5000m gold

There’s one comeback story that can’t be slept on, and that’s Indian distance runner Parul Chaudhary winning the 5,000-metre race at this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Chaudhary was in second place when the bell for the final lap was rung, and she was
trailing Japan’s Hironaka Ririka and was almost going stride-to-stride with her.

There was a point when the Japanese runner created a sizeable lead over Chaudhary, entering the final 100-metre stretch with a lead. It was at that moment that Chaudhary did the unthinkable, sprinting like her life depended on it.

Nearing the finish line, Chaudhary gave in a sudden burst that no one saw coming, nugding past the Japanese runner in what was a sight that gave goosebumps to everyone watching.

Parul’s adrenaline push won her and India the gold in the 5-thousand metre race, adding to what would eventually be India’s highest haul of medals at the continental event (107).

If there’s inspiration you need to enter the new year, take it from Parul Chaudhary!

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