2009 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights

2009 Sports Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to

03 Jan 2009 Dakar Rally Begins: The prestigious Dakar Rally commences in Buenos Aires, Argentina, featuring international off-road racing teams and vehicles.
05 Jan Canada Wins World Junior Hockey Championship: Canada secured its fifth consecutive gold medal in the world junior hockey championships, defeating Sweden 5-1. This victory ties Canada with Russia/Soviet Union for the most all-time gold medals in the tournament, marking a significant milestone in Canadian hockey history.
09 Jan British Mountaineer's Tragic Death: Rob Gauntlett, the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, tragically died while climbing in the French Alps.
17 Jan Joannie Rochette Wins Fifth Consecutive Canadian Figure Skating Championship: Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette successfully defended her national title, winning her fifth straight Canadian figure skating championship.
18 Jan 2009 NFL Conference Championships: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-14 in the AFC Championship, while the Arizona Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 32-25 in the NFC Championship, setting the stage for Super Bowl XLIII.
19 Jan Nick Markakis Signs Major Contract: Baltimore Orioles' outfielder Nick Markakis agrees to a six-year contract worth US$66 million, demonstrating the team's commitment to the player.
25 Jan 57th NHL All-Star Game: The 57th NHL All-Star Game was held in Montreal, Quebec, with the Eastern Conference team defeating the Western Conference team 12-11 in an exciting, high-scoring match.
26 Jan Kansas City Royals Contract: Kansas City Royals' pitcher Zack Greinke agrees to a four-year contract worth US$38 million, solidifying his position with the team.
28 Jan Henrik Zetterberg Contract Extension: Detroit Red Wings' forward Henrik Zetterberg signed a lucrative contract extension worth US$73 million over 12 years, demonstrating the team's commitment to retaining top talent.
30 Jan Death of McLaren Formula 1 boss Teddy Mayer: On January 30, 2009, Teddy Mayer, the former managing director of McLaren Formula 1 team, passed away at the age of 73. source: autosport.com
31 Jan Serena Williams wins Australian Open: On January 31, 2009, Serena Williams won the Australian Open women's singles title, defeating Dinara Safina in the final. source: abc.net.au
01 Feb Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII, held in Tampa, Florida. This victory marked the Steelers' sixth Super Bowl title, further solidifying their status as one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. source: nfl.com
05 Feb Joe Calzaghe Retires from Boxing: Undefeated world super-middleweight and light-heavyweight boxing champion Joe Calzaghe of the United Kingdom announces his retirement, concluding an illustrious career with a perfect record of 46 wins from 46 professional fights.
08 Feb Ryan Howard Contract with Phillies: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard signed a lucrative three-year contract worth $54 million, solidifying his position with the team.
09 Feb Alex Rodriguez steroid admission: On February 9, 2009, Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career. This revelation sparked widespread controversy and discussions about doping in sports. source: nytimes.com
14 Feb NHL Record Set by Mike Green: Mike Green of the Washington Capitals breaks an NHL record for defensemen by scoring a goal in his eighth consecutive game, highlighting exceptional offensive performance for a defensive player.
15 Feb Matt Kenseth wins rain-shortened Daytona 500: Matt Kenseth claimed his first Daytona 500 victory after the race was halted due to rain, with 152 of the scheduled 200 laps completed. source: reviewjournal.com
18 Feb Ethiopian Athlete Breaks World Indoor Record: Meseret Defar of Ethiopia set a new world indoor record in the women's 5,000-metres at the GE Gala meet in Stockholm, Sweden, completing the distance in an impressive time of 14:24.37.
01 Mar Canadian Women's Curling Championship: Jennifer Jones from Winnipeg won her third Canadian Women's Curling Tournament of Hearts title, defeating Marla Mallett of British Columbia with an 8-5 victory.
14 Mar Canadian Swimmer Sets World Record: Annamay Pierse of Canada set a new world record in the women's 200-metre breaststroke swimming event, achieving a time of 2:17.50 at the short-course swimming championships in Toronto, Ontario.
15 Mar Duke Wins ACC Basketball Tournament: Duke (#9) defeated Florida State (#22) 79-69 in the 56th ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.
16 Mar British swimmer sets new national record: On March 16, 2009, British swimmer Rebecca Adlington set a new national record in the 400-meter freestyle event at the British Swimming Championships. Her performance underscored her status as one of the leading swimmers in the UK and contributed to her selection for the upcoming World Championships. source: bbc.com
17 Mar Martin Brodeur breaks NHL goaltender record: On March 17, 2009, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils surpassed Patrick Roy's NHL record for career wins by achieving his 552nd victory in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. This milestone made Brodeur the all-time winningest goaltender in NHL history. source: foxsports.com
28 Mar Canadian Figure Skaters Inducted into World Hall of Fame: Barbara Underhill, Paul Martini, and Brian Orser were honored with induction into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame during the world figure skating championships in Los Angeles, California, recognizing their significant contributions to the sport.
29 Mar China Wins First Women's Curling World Championship: At the World Women's Curling Championship in Gangneung, South Korea, Bingyu Wang of China defeated Sweden's Anette Norberg 8-6, securing China's first-ever world women's curling championship title.
02 Apr Lewis Hamilton Disqualified from Grand Prix: Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes was disqualified from the 2009 Australian Grand Prix for deliberately misleading the International Automobile Federation.
03 Apr Scottish Footballers Banned: Allan McGregor and Barry Ferguson, prominent Scottish footballers, received lifetime bans from the Scottish Football Association. They were also transferred to Rangers Football Club, marking a significant disciplinary action in professional sports.
05 Apr Brittany Lincicome Wins Kraft Nabisco Championship: Brittany Lincicome clinched her first major golf title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, dramatically eagling the final hole to finish 1 stroke ahead of Cristie Kerr, marking a significant moment in her professional golf career.
06 Apr NCAA Basketball Championship: In the NCAA Tournament final, the North Carolina Tar Heels decisively defeat the Michigan State Spartans with a score of 89-72, claiming the national championship.
07 Apr UConn Wins NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: The University of Connecticut women's basketball team defeated Louisville 76-54, securing their 6th national title in the 28th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, further cementing their status as a dominant force in collegiate women's basketball.
11 Apr Michael van Gerwen Wins PDC Tournament: Michael van Gerwen achieves his first tournament victory in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) by defeating Vincent van der Voort in the final of the Players Championship in Taunton.
12 Apr Ángel Cabrera Wins Masters Tournament: Ángel Cabrera became the first Argentine and South American golfer to win the Masters Tournament, defeating Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry in a playoff and securing his second major title.
13 Apr Mark Fidrych dies in accident at his Northborough farm, Massachusetts at age 54: On April 13, 2009, Mark Fidrych, a former major-league pitcher for the Detroit Tigers from 1976 to 1980, died in an accident at his Northborough farm in Massachusetts at the age of 54. source: cbsnews.com
14 Apr Connecticut Wins NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: The University of Connecticut Huskies secured their 6th national title, defeating Louisville 76-54. Center Tina Charles was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
20 Apr Boston Marathon Winners: Ethiopia's Deriba Merga wins the men's Boston Marathon with a time of 2:08:42, while Kenya's Salina Kosgei claims victory in the women's race with a time of 2:32:16.
22 Apr Brittany Lincicome Wins Kraft Nabisco Championship: Brittany Lincicome dramatically won her first major golf title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She eagled the final hole, finishing 1 stroke ahead of fellow American Cristie Kerr at Mission Hills Country Club.
25 Apr Matthew Stafford NFL Draft: Matthew Stafford signs a six-year contract with the Detroit Lions worth between US$41.7 and $78 million, marking a significant milestone in his professional football career.
02 May Mine That Bird wins Kentucky Derby: On May 2, 2009, Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby, marking a stunning upset in the race. The horse, a long shot at 50-1 odds, became the second horse in history to win the Derby after starting from the 20th post position. source: nytimes.com
07 May Manny Ramirez Suspended for Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Los Angeles Dodgers' outfielder Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, highlighting ongoing issues with doping in professional sports.
09 May Remembering Chuck Daly: Commemorating Chuck Daly, a renowned American basketball coach who was born in 1930. Daly was known for coaching the legendary 'Dream Team' during the 1992 Olympics and had a significant impact on basketball coaching.
11 May Patrick Kane Scores NHL Playoff Hat-Trick: Hockey player Patrick Kane achieved a notable milestone by scoring his first career hat-trick during the NHL playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks.
16 May Rachel Alexandra Wins Preakness Stakes: In a historic moment at the 134th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland, jockey Calvin Borel rode Rachel Alexandra to victory, becoming the first female horse to win the race since 1924.
20 May UEFA Cup Final: FC Shakhtar Donetsk emerged victorious, defeating SV Werder Bremen in the final of the UEFA Cup, marking a significant achievement in European football.
21 May Apa Sherpa's Record-Breaking Everest Climb: Apa Sherpa successfully climbed Mount Everest for the 19th time, further cementing his status as one of the most accomplished mountaineers in history.
24 May Indianapolis 500 race held in Indiana: The Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious auto races in the world, took place on May 24, 2009. The event featured a thrilling race with a large audience and is part of the IndyCar Series. source: indy500.com
27 May Barcelona wins UEFA Champions League: On May 27, 2009, FC Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League final held in Rome. This victory marked Barcelona's second consecutive Champions League title and their third overall. source: bbc.com
30 May South Africa Bulls Win Super 14 Rugby Championship: The South Africa Bulls clinched the 2009 Super 14 rugby union championship by defeating the New Zealand Chiefs in a thrilling final match.
31 May Soderling Defeats Nadal at French Open: Robin Soderling from Sweden stunned Rafael Nadal, the defending champion and world number one, in a significant upset at the French Open tennis tournament.
01 Jun Dublin Women's Mini Marathon: The Women's Mini Marathon in Dublin, Ireland, sees an impressive turnout of more than 40,000 women participants, celebrating athletic achievement and community engagement.
06 Jun Svetlana Kuznetsova Wins French Open: Russian tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova defeats fellow Russian and world number one Dinara Safina in a decisive straight-sets victory (6-4, 6-2) at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris.
07 Jun Roger Federer wins first French Open title: Roger Federer claimed his first French Open title, defeating Robin Soderling in the final. This victory completed his career Grand Slam, making him the sixth man in history to win all four major tennis championships. source: bbc.com
11 Jun Pittsburgh Penguins Win Stanley Cup: In a thrilling Game 7, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings to claim the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals championship, marking a significant moment in professional ice hockey.
14 Jun Los Angeles Lakers win NBA Championship: On June 14, 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers secured the NBA Championship by defeating the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the Finals. This victory marked the Lakers' 15th championship title and solidified Kobe Bryant's legacy as one of the game's greats. source: nba.com
15 Jun Cricket World Twenty20 Upset: England defeated India, the defending champions and tournament favorites, in a surprising result at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament.
21 Jun Queen's Plate Horse Race Winner: A three-year-old colt named "Eye of the Leopard" wins the prestigious 150th running of the Queen's Plate horse race in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, continuing the event's long-standing sporting tradition.
23 Jun Lucas Glover Wins U.S. Open Golf Championship: Lucas Glover emerged victorious at the U.S. Open golf tournament held at the challenging Bethpage Black course on Long Island, New York. His impressive performance of 4-under par secured him the championship and a prize of US$1.35 million.
25 Jun Cristiano Ronaldo completes record transfer to Real Madrid: On June 25, 2009, Real Madrid announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for a world record £80 million (€94 million). The Portuguese winger signed a six-year contract, set to begin on July 1, 2009. source: uefa.com
28 Jun Brazil wins FIFA Confederations Cup: On June 28, 2009, Brazil defeated the United States 3-2 in the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup, securing their third title in the tournament. source: fifa.com
04 Jul Serena Williams wins Wimbledon: On July 4, 2009, Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the Wimbledon women's singles final, securing her third Wimbledon title and 11th Grand Slam singles title. source: wimbledon.com
05 Jul Roger Federer wins historic Wimbledon final: On July 5, 2009, Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick in a marathon Wimbledon men's singles final, securing his 15th Grand Slam title and surpassing Pete Sampras's record. source: wimbledon.com
07 Jul Death of Tennis Player Mathieu Montcourt: French tennis player Mathieu Montcourt was tragically found dead in the stairwell of his Paris apartment at the young age of 24, shocking the sports community.
09 Jul Joe Sakic NHL retirement: NHL star Joe Sakic announced his retirement after a distinguished career with the Colorado Avalanche. His retirement marked the end of an era in professional hockey. source: nhl.com
11 Jul 2009 Lusophony Games held in Lisbon, Portugal: The 2009 Lusophony Games, a multi-sport event for Portuguese-speaking countries, were held in Lisbon, Portugal, from July 11 to 19, 2009. source: lusophonygames.org
12 Jul US Women's Open Golf Championship: Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea clinched victory at the US Women's Open Golf Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club, defeating American Candie Kung by a single stroke in a closely contested tournament.
16 Jul Teenage Sailor Completes Global Circumnavigation: At just 17 years old, Zac Sunderland becomes the youngest person to solo sail around the globe, achieving a remarkable feat of endurance and navigation.
19 Jul Mark Buehrle's Perfect Game in MLB: Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox achieved baseball history by becoming the 18th pitcher to throw a perfect game, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0 in a remarkable sporting achievement.
23 Jul Perfect Game in Major League Baseball: Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox achieved a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a rare and remarkable feat in professional baseball where no opposing player reaches base.
24 Jul FINA Swimsuit Regulation Change: FINA Congress voted to ban body-length swimsuits, establishing new regulations for men's and women's competitive swimwear, effective January 1, 2010.
25 Jul Felipe Massa's Serious Racing Accident: During qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa suffered a life-threatening injury when a suspension part from Rubens Barrichello's car struck him at high speed, hitting his helmet at approximately 160 mph. This incident dramatically underscored the inherent dangers in professional motorsports.
26 Jul Alberto Contador wins Tour de France: Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador secured his second Tour de France victory, finishing 4 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck. Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong placed third. source: newindianexpress.com
28 Jul World record in women's 100m backstroke: On July 28, 2009, American swimmer Natalie Coughlin set a new world record in the women's 100m backstroke at the World Swimming Championships in Rome, Italy. source: usatoday.com
15 Aug 12th Athletics World Championships: The 12th Athletics World Championships commenced in Berlin, Germany, bringing together top athletes from around the globe.
16 Aug Usain Bolt sets 100m world record in Berlin: On August 16, 2009, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt set a new world record in the 100-meter dash at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, clocking a time of 9.58 seconds and solidifying his status as the fastest man in the world. source: iaaf.org
23 Aug England regains The Ashes: On August 23, 2009, England defeated Australia by 197 runs in the fifth Test at The Oval, reclaiming The Ashes with a 2-1 series victory. Graeme Swann's 4-120 and Steve Harmison's 3-54 were instrumental in dismissing Australia for 348. source: mobile.jamaicagleaner.com
24 Aug Remembering Toni Sailer: Toni Sailer, a legendary Austrian alpine ski racer born in 1935, was commemorated, recognizing his significant contributions to winter sports.
27 Aug Youngest Solo Circumnavigator: Michael Perham, a 17-year-old English sailor, became the youngest person to sail solo around the world, breaking the previous record by two months.
10 Sep Germany Wins UEFA Women's Euro 2009: Germany secured their seventh European title by defeating England 6-2 in the UEFA Women's Euro 2009 final, demonstrating their dominance in women's football.
12 Sep Death of Jack Kramer, Tennis Legend: Jack Kramer, a prominent American tennis player who significantly influenced the sport during the mid-20th century, passed away.
13 Sep Kim Clijsters wins US Open women's tennis: On September 13, 2009, Belgian tennis player Kim Clijsters won the US Open women's singles title, defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the final. This victory marked Clijsters' second US Open title and her first Grand Slam win since returning from retirement. source: usopen.org
14 Sep US Open Tennis Championships: In a thrilling tennis tournament, Juan Martin del Potro defeated Roger Federer, while Kim Clijsters emerged victorious against Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open.
01 Oct Rio de Janeiro Awarded 2016 Summer Olympics: The International Olympic Committee selects Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. This marks the first time the Olympics will be held in South America, representing a significant milestone for the region.
04 Oct Senior Players Championship Golf Tournament: Jay Haas won his third and final Champions Tour major title at the Senior Players Championship, defeating Tom Watson by a single stroke at Baltimore Country Club.
05 Oct Australia Wins Cricket Champions Trophy: Australia defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets to win their second ICC Men's Cricket Champions Trophy at Centurion Park in South Africa. Shane Watson's outstanding performance of 105 not out was crucial to the victory.
11 Oct Presidents Cup Golf Tournament: The United States team defeated the International team 19½–14½ in the Presidents Cup, securing their second consecutive win by the same score and third straight overall victory.
18 Oct Jenson Button Wins 2009 Formula One World Championship: British racing driver Jenson Button secured the 2009 Formula One World Championship, finishing fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, São Paulo.
21 Oct Philadelphia Phillies Win 2009 National League Championship: The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the 2009 National League Championship Series by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 1, with a decisive 10-4 victory in the final game.
22 Oct 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Relay Begins: The Olympic Flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, marking the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Relay.
23 Oct Jean Todt Elected FIA President: Jean Todt defeated Ari Vatanen to become the new head of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), succeeding Max Mosley after 16 years of leadership.
27 Oct David Shepherd, Renowned Cricket Umpire, Dies: David Shepherd, a highly respected English cricket umpire who officiated in 92 Test matches and 172 One Day Internationals, passed away from lung cancer at the age of 68.
01 Nov Serena Williams Wins WTA Championship: On November 1, 2009, Serena Williams won the WTA Championship, securing her fourth title at the event.
10 Nov Remembering Robert Enke: Reflection on Robert Enke, a talented German football goalkeeper who tragically passed away in 2009, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by professional athletes.
16 Nov Antonio de Nigris - Mexican Football Player: Antonio de Nigris was a notable Mexican football player born in 1978, who made significant contributions to the sport during his career.
18 Nov France Controversially Qualifies for 2010 FIFA World Cup: On November 18, 2009, France qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after a controversial playoff against Ireland, marked by a disputed handball by Thierry Henry. The incident sparked widespread debate about fairness in sports. source: bbc.com
20 Nov Massive European football match-fixing scandal: On November 20, 2009, European authorities revealed a widespread match-fixing scandal involving several football clubs across Europe. This scandal raised serious concerns about the integrity of the sport and led to investigations across multiple countries. source: bbc.com
21 Nov FIFA World Cup Handball Controversy Protest: Protesters gathered at the French Embassy in Dublin to continue their dispute with FIFA regarding the controversial handball incident during the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying match between France and Ireland.
29 Nov Montreal Alouettes Win Grey Cup: The Montreal Alouettes dramatically defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 28-27 in the Canadian Football League's championship game, winning on a last-second 33-yard field goal by Damon Duval at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
05 Dec Texas Wins Big 12 Championship: The University of Texas Longhorns secure a narrow 13-12 victory over the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 14th Big 12 Championship Game.
06 Dec Flamengo Wins Brazilian National Football Championship: Flamengo secured its sixth Brazilian national football championship by defeating Gremio 2-1 in the final round of the 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, demonstrating their dominance in Brazilian football.
07 Dec Cricket Record Breaking Partnership: Pakistani cricketers Aamer Sajjad and Raffatullah Mumand set a new world record for the second-wicket partnership, scoring 580 runs during a Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match and surpassing the previous record of 576 runs.
14 Dec Mark Ingram Jr. Wins Heisman Trophy: Alabama running back Mark Ingram Jr. was awarded the 75th Heisman Trophy, recognizing him as the most outstanding player in college football for the year.
15 Dec Sports Medicine Specialist Accused of Doping: Canadian sports medicine specialist Anthony Galea, known for treating Tiger Woods, was accused of providing performance-enhancing drugs to top athletes.
19 Dec FC Barcelona's Historic Achievement: FC Barcelona made history by winning six competitions in a single year, an unprecedented feat in association football known as 'The Sextuple'.
21 Dec Martin Brodeur Sets NHL Shutout Record: Martin Brodeur, legendary goalie for the New Jersey Devils, broke the NHL record for most career shutouts with his 104th win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, cementing his status as one of hockey's greatest goaltenders.

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