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YIR 2016: Top 10 sports moments of 2016

  • <p>India sent its largest contingent to the 2016 Olympics and they were the country's media's favourite children for a while. However, the country returned with just 2 medals. Immediately after the Olympics, the Indian Paralympians were the ones who stole the spotlight when they created history by winning 4 medals, the highest tally for the nation at any Paralympics. </p>
    1/10

    Indian paralympians outshine Indian Olympians

    India sent its largest contingent to the 2016 Olympics and they were the country's media's favourite children for a while. However, the country returned with just 2 medals. Immediately after the Olympics, the Indian Paralympians were the ones who stole the spotlight when they created history by winning 4 medals, the highest tally for the nation at any Paralympics.

  • <p>It was the women who lifted our morale on the world stage when P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik ended India's medal drought. Also, Vinesh Phogat's spirited fight as she went out of the competition in pain broke the nation's heart. </p>
    2/10

    Women shine for India at Rio Olympics

    It was the women who lifted our morale on the world stage when P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik ended India's medal drought. Also, Vinesh Phogat's spirited fight as she went out of the competition in pain broke the nation's heart.

  • <p>Portugal defeated favourites France to win their first Euro title, much to everyone's disbelief. The Portuguese were the underdogs throughout, as they didn't even manage a single win in the group stages, and barely qualified for the knockouts. </p>
    3/10

    Portugal’s unbelievable Euro win

    Portugal defeated favourites France to win their first Euro title, much to everyone's disbelief. The Portuguese were the underdogs throughout, as they didn't even manage a single win in the group stages, and barely qualified for the knockouts.

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  • <p>US swimmer Phelps' 23rd Olympics gold win was the highest tally ever for any individual athlete at the world's grandest sporting spectacle. </p>
    4/10

    Michael Phelps’ golden run

    US swimmer Phelps' 23rd Olympics gold win was the highest tally ever for any individual athlete at the world's grandest sporting spectacle.

  • <p>Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer for Real Madrid this year, eclipsing Raul's record tally of 323 goals. </p>
    5/10

    Madrid’s goal machine

    Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer for Real Madrid this year, eclipsing Raul's record tally of 323 goals.

  • <p>Brazil beat Germany to claim the Olympic gold and exorcise their demons from the past. Neymar, who missed the fateful World Cup semi-final loss against Germany two years back, helped his team edge past Germany 5-4 in the penalties this time. </p>
    6/10

    Brazil seek Word Cup defeat revenge over Germany

    Brazil beat Germany to claim the Olympic gold and exorcise their demons from the past. Neymar, who missed the fateful World Cup semi-final loss against Germany two years back, helped his team edge past Germany 5-4 in the penalties this time.

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Chinese diver Hu Zi had just won silver when her fellow diver Qin Kai entered the podium. To her surprise, he went down on one knee and asked for her hand after taking out an engagement ring. She said 'yes'. </p>
    7/10

    Love in the time of Olympics

    Chinese diver Hu Zi had just won silver when her fellow diver Qin Kai entered the podium. To her surprise, he went down on one knee and asked for her hand after taking out an engagement ring. She said 'yes'.

  • <p>The 145-ranked Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro defeated top-seeded Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal en route to winning the silver medal at the Rio Olympics. This phenomenal feat earned him a wildcard entry to US Open. </p>
    8/10

    Del Potro rises from the dead

    The 145-ranked Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro defeated top-seeded Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal en route to winning the silver medal at the Rio Olympics. This phenomenal feat earned him a wildcard entry to US Open.

  • <p>The Spaniard upset the world No.1 when she, against all odds and expectations, defeated Serena in the French Open final. </p>
    9/10

    Garbiñe Muguruza’s shocks Serena Williams

    The Spaniard upset the world No.1 when she, against all odds and expectations, defeated Serena in the French Open final.

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>The most unexpected thing to happen this year was the Argentine stalwart missing a crucial penalty that would have won his country the Copa America Cup. The whole world went into mourning when Messi announced his retirement shortly after the match. To the whole world's delight, he soon announced his return. </p>
    10/10

    Messi’s retirement

    The most unexpected thing to happen this year was the Argentine stalwart missing a crucial penalty that would have won his country the Copa America Cup. The whole world went into mourning when Messi announced his retirement shortly after the match. To the whole world's delight, he soon announced his return.

<p>India sent its largest contingent to the 2016 Olympics and they were the country's media's favourite children for a while. However, the country returned with just 2 medals. Immediately after the Olympics, the Indian Paralympians were the ones who stole the spotlight when they created history by winning 4 medals, the highest tally for the nation at any Paralympics. </p>
<p>It was the women who lifted our morale on the world stage when P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik ended India's medal drought. Also, Vinesh Phogat's spirited fight as she went out of the competition in pain broke the nation's heart. </p>
<p>Portugal defeated favourites France to win their first Euro title, much to everyone's disbelief. The Portuguese were the underdogs throughout, as they didn't even manage a single win in the group stages, and barely qualified for the knockouts. </p>
<p>US swimmer Phelps' 23rd Olympics gold win was the highest tally ever for any individual athlete at the world's grandest sporting spectacle. </p>
<p>Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer for Real Madrid this year, eclipsing Raul's record tally of 323 goals. </p>
<p>Brazil beat Germany to claim the Olympic gold and exorcise their demons from the past. Neymar, who missed the fateful World Cup semi-final loss against Germany two years back, helped his team edge past Germany 5-4 in the penalties this time. </p>
<p>Chinese diver Hu Zi had just won silver when her fellow diver Qin Kai entered the podium. To her surprise, he went down on one knee and asked for her hand after taking out an engagement ring. She said 'yes'. </p>
<p>The 145-ranked Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro defeated top-seeded Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal en route to winning the silver medal at the Rio Olympics. This phenomenal feat earned him a wildcard entry to US Open. </p>
<p>The Spaniard upset the world No.1 when she, against all odds and expectations, defeated Serena in the French Open final. </p>
<p>The most unexpected thing to happen this year was the Argentine stalwart missing a crucial penalty that would have won his country the Copa America Cup. The whole world went into mourning when Messi announced his retirement shortly after the match. To the whole world's delight, he soon announced his return. </p>
Sayan Ganguly

Compiling a list of the top 10 sports moments of 2016 was a tough ask, specially when the year saw some of the greatest sporting spectacles, including the Olympics.

In preparing this, we have considered major sporting events that brought people and nations together, and also kept in mind the perspective of the Indian reader. As a result, there may be some notable omissions.

(All images are sourced from Getty and AP)