Roger Federer led Switzerland to the Davis Cup triumph and ended the year as the oldest year-end No 2 in the history of the rankings whereas Barcelona’s legend Lionel Messi set a La Liga record of 253 goals. Lewis Hamilton joined the elite ranks of double Formula One world champions and the mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro were launched.
Rediff.com has that and more snapped right here. We bring you a glance of all the action from the week gone by.
Kisten Moore Towers and Michael Marino of Canada perform their Pairs Free program during day two of Trophee Eric Bompard ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating at the Meriadeck Ice Rink in Bordeaux, France. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines punches Chris Algieri of the US during their World Boxing Organisation (WBO) 12-round welterweight title fight at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau. Pacquiao knocked down American challenger Algieri six times to retain his WBO welterweight championship. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Lewis Hamilton declared Sunday the greatest day of his life after ending a thrilling season with his second Formula One world championship. Hamilton celebrates with girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger after winning the World Championship. Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton joined the elite ranks of double Formula One world champions on Sunday after a nerve-racking drive to victory in the floodlit season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In a race overshadowed by the ever-present spectre of mechanical failure after the Briton's Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg suffered an early loss of power, Hamilton powered to his 11th win in 19 races. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal with teammates during their Spanish first division soccer match against Sevilla at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona. Barcelona forward Messi set a La Liga scoring record of 253 goals when he claimed a hat-trick in Saturday's match at home to Sevilla. Photograph: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters
Roger Federer produced a vintage performance to crush Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and seal Switzerland's maiden Davis Cup title with a 3-1 win over hosts France. The 17-time Grand Slam champion shook off back problems during the weekend and recovered from Friday's defeat by Gael Monfils to hand France a third defeat in their last three finals. Switzerland's team members celebrate alongside the Davis Cup trophy after winning the Davis Cup tennis tournament final match against France at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq, near Lille. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Yousef Nasser, centre, of Kuwait fights for the ball with Mohammed Ahmed and Abdulaziz Mohammed, right, of UAE during their Gulf Cup soccer match in Riyadh. Photograph: Faisal Al Nasser/Reuters
Ireland's Rob Kearney, left, tackles Australia's Israel Falou during their international rugby test match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton/Reuters
Bright yellow and cat-like, with a green leaf-haired brother, the mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro were launched by organisers. The mascots, who are said to represent the animals and plants of Brazil, are a key part of the Olympics merchandising campaign which is set to feature 12,000 products and is an important revenue source and a vital way of engaging the public. Photograph: Alex Ferro/COB/Handout via Reuters
Magnus Carlsen asserted his supremacy over Viswanathan Anand for the second year in running as the Norwegian retained his World Championship title after defeating the Indian Challenger in the 11th game in Sochi. Photograph: FIDE
