 "2018 in the rearview mirror: Reliving 365 days in 200 clips, GIFs, pictures and memes")
Sometimes, moments stick out like sore thumbs. In 2018, a year which had a FIFA World Cup, a Hockey World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Winter Olympics, these moments came thick and fast.
2018 was just that sort of year.
History was made. Records were broken. All-conquering cricketers broke down in tears. Football managers relinquished the thrones they occupied for over two decades. In NBA, a dynasty was established at Oakland.
[caption id=“attachment_5804001” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Steve Smith breaks down at a press conference after the ball-tampering scandal. AFP[/caption]
In table tennis, a 15-year-old prodigy from Japan won the year-end title. In golf, a fading superstar showed signs of resurgence.
In football, the first-ever Ballon d’Or Feminin was awarded. In gymnastics, women united, and their collective voice brought down a predator. Basketball stars found their voice against the president of the country.
The two Koreas marched as one at the Winter Olympics. And then again at the Asian Games.
In cycling, an unheralded domestique won the Tour de France. In long-distance running, a Kenyan marathoner brought down the world record time by over a minute.
It was a year rich in imagery. As we count down to another year, here’s Firstpost’s selection of the images, clips, GIFs that encapsulate everything that 2018 brought in the sporting landscape:
From the ball-tampering controversy that rocked the foundation of Australian cricket to Luka Modric breaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s 10-year monopoly over the Ballon d’Or; from LeBron James moving to the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering another defeat to the Golden State Warriors to Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus, the year was never short of breaking news. You can relive those moments here.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts[caption id=“attachment_5804031” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James argues with Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (centre) as Klay Thompson (left) moves in during Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. USA Today Sports via Reuters[/caption]
[caption id=“attachment_5804051” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] File image of Fernando Alonso. AFP[/caption]
It was also a momentous year for women's sport. And a year where
India took bold strides across the sporting landscape . From
moments which warmed the cockles of your heart to
moments of athletic brilliance that took your breath away , 2018 had everything for everyone.
It was also a year with countless moments which made us chuckle. Jose Mourinho's reign at Manchester United came to an end after three seasons. At times the drama around the Portuguese manager was more entertaining than the football on the pitch itself. You can relive his 2018 here.
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