As the sports world bid farewell to 2023, it left behind a trail of unforgettable moments that will be etched in the annals of athletic history. 

From record-breaking achievements to unexpected triumphs and off-field controversies, the year showcased the diverse facets of the sporting sphere. 

Here are the top five sports moments that defined 2023:

 

1. LeBron James Becomes NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer:

 On February 7, 2023, LeBron James, in his 21st season, achieved a milestone that solidified his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players ever. 

Surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding record, James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, reaching 38,388 points with his signature 21-foot fallaway jumper against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. 

2. Carlos Alcaraz Emerges as Wimbledon Champion at 20:

Tennis witnessed a changing of the guard as 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second Grand Slam title by defeating Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. 

Alcaraz’s victory not only made him the third-youngest Wimbledon men’s singles champion but also halted Djokovic’s pursuit of equaling Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles. 

The young Spaniard’s triumph signaled a new era in men’s tennis.

Another worthy mention in Tennis is CoCo Gauff who at 19 captured her first Grand Slam Championship after winning the U.S. Open in September. She became the youngest to win the tournament since Serena Williams won the U.S. Open at 17 years of age in 1999

3. Max Verstappen’s Dominance in Formula 1:

Max Verstappen continued his sensational run in Formula 1, securing his third consecutive championship title. 

The Dutch driver set multiple records, including most wins in a season (19), most consecutive wins (10), most consecutive points scored (1004), and most championship points in a season (575). 

Meanwhile, Sir Lewis Hamilton extended his own records for total career points and points-scoring races.

4. Controversy Mars FIFA Women’s World Cup Win for Spain:

Spain celebrated their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup victory with a thrilling 1-0 win against England, led by captain Olga Carmona’s decisive goal. 

However, the historic achievement was overshadowed by controversy when Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish Football Federation, inappropriately kissed player Jenni Hermoso during the trophy presentation. 

Rubiales faced severe backlash, leading to his resignation and suspension, while coach Jorge Vilda was sacked.

 

5. Manchester City’s Historic Treble:

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City etched their name in history by securing a remarkable treble in 2023. 

The Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles and most recently Club World Cup all found a home at the Etihad Stadium. 

Guardiola, who had previously achieved a European treble with Barcelona in 2009, became the first manager to win two European trebles. 

Manchester City joined an elite list of clubs to accomplish such a feat, marking a historic year for the English powerhouse.