Is sport a microcosm of life? From soccer to darts, the past year has brought astonishing achievements and reversals for competitors, both in the arena and out of it.
2025 in review: Triumph and tragedy
Ups and downs: 2025 has been a year of dramatic contrasts in UK and world sport, which included Lando Norris winning the F1 title; the Lionesses' triumphant Euros win; the tragic death of Diogo Jota; and Geordie Beamish's dramatic performance in Tokyo. Glossary
Vulnerability - When someone can be harmed easily, either emotionally or physically.
Abu Dhabi - The capital city of the United Arab Emirates — it is also the name of one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE.
Decisive - Able to make clear decisions quickly and effectively; producing a definite result.
Birdied - In golf, to complete a hole in one stroke fewer than par.
Steeplechase - A long-distance running race that includes barriers and water jumps.
Sceptics - Those who doubt commonly accepted opinions - named after the "skeptic" philosophers of Ancient Greece.