India, Dec. 26 -- You could call it the Year of Hope, the Year of the Underdog, or even the Year of Redemption. You could paint a picture of David slaying Goliath, of monoliths falling, or even of tyrants being overthrown. You could wax philosophical about the rise of a new breed of champions, the emergence of the latest version of the modern global athlete, or even a generational awakening.

There was enough in 2025 for each of these sporting hyperboles to be in play. And while they may be exaggerations - for no one can judge the march of human excellence in real time - it was indeed an extraordinary year of power shifts in sport across continents, disciplines and arenas.

From tracks to courts and the pitch to the field, the signs of a ...