Sports have the power to unite, inspire, and leave us in awe. As we look back on the past year, we've witnessed some truly extraordinary moments that will go down in sporting history. At Chorny Sreda, we've cheered, gasped, and celebrated alongside our patrons during these unforgettable events. Here's our countdown of the top five sporting moments that had everyone talking.

5. Marathon World Record Shattered in London

The London Marathon has always been one of the premier distance running events in the world, but this year it witnessed history. Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge shattered the world record with an astonishing time of 2:01:09, breaking his own previous record by 30 seconds. What made this achievement even more remarkable was the adverse weather conditions, with rain pouring down throughout the race.

Kipchoge's perfect pacing and unwavering determination demonstrated why he's considered the greatest marathon runner of all time. His achievement transcends the sport itself, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and inspiring millions worldwide. When he crossed the finish line, the crowd's roar could be heard across the city, and our bar erupted in applause for this superhuman accomplishment.

4. The Champions League Final's Dramatic Conclusion

Football fans will never forget the tension and drama of this year's Champions League final between Manchester City and Real Madrid. After a tightly contested 90 minutes with the score level at 1-1, the match headed into extra time. What followed was perhaps the most dramatic 30 minutes in Champions League history.

Real Madrid's veteran midfielder Luka Modrić put his team ahead with a sublime strike from outside the box in the 105th minute. City responded with an equalizer just three minutes later through Phil Foden. With penalties looming, Rodri scored what seemed to be the winner for City in the 118th minute, only for Vinícius Júnior to equalize in the last minute of added time. The penalty shootout that followed was equally dramatic, with Real Madrid ultimately triumphing 5-4 after Ederson's save from Bernardo Silva's attempt.

Our bar was divided between City and Madrid supporters that night, and the rollercoaster of emotions was unlike anything we'd seen before. Strangers were hugging, rivals were shaking hands in respect, and everyone agreed they had witnessed one of the greatest football matches of all time.

3. The Ashes Series Decider

Cricket fans were treated to one of the most compelling Ashes series in recent memory, with England and Australia trading blows throughout the summer. Coming into the fifth and final Test at The Oval, the series was level at 2-2, setting up a winner-takes-all decider that lived up to all expectations.

After four days of fluctuating fortunes, England needed 249 runs to win on the final day with just four wickets in hand. Captain Ben Stokes, alongside Chris Woakes, put on a masterclass in resilience and skill. Stokes's unbeaten 155, including 15 fours and 8 sixes, guided England to a famous victory with just two wickets to spare.

The atmosphere in our bar during that final day was electric. Every boundary was greeted with thunderous applause, every Australian appeal with nervous silence. When Woakes hit the winning runs, the celebration was reminiscent of England's 2019 World Cup victory – pure, unbridled joy at witnessing sporting history.

2. The Historic Heavyweight Title Unification

For the first time in over two decades, boxing fans witnessed a unified heavyweight champion when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk finally met in the ring. The bout had been years in the making, with contractual disputes and injuries repeatedly delaying what many considered the most significant heavyweight contest since Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson.

The fight itself exceeded all expectations. Fury's size and reach advantage posed problems for Usyk in the early rounds, but the Ukrainian's superior speed and technical ability began to tell as the fight progressed. In the tenth round, Usyk landed a devastating combination that sent Fury to the canvas for the first time in his professional career. Though Fury showed tremendous heart to survive and even rally in the championship rounds, Usyk's masterclass earned him a majority decision victory and the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.

We held a special ticketed event for this fight, and the atmosphere was unlike anything we'd experienced before. The collective gasp when Fury hit the canvas, followed by the roar when he beat the count, encapsulated why we love sports – those moments of raw drama and emotion that bring people together.

1. The Olympic 100m Final

Taking the top spot in our countdown is the men's 100m final at the Olympic Games. Going into the race, American sprinter Noah Lyles was the favorite, having dominated the World Championships the previous year. However, Jamaica's rising star Kishane Thompson and defending champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy ensured this would be no coronation.

What followed was the fastest race in Olympic history. Not only did Lyles win gold with a time of 9.71 seconds, but all eight finalists broke the 10-second barrier – an unprecedented achievement. The sight of these eight exceptional athletes pushing the boundaries of human speed, separated by mere hundredths of seconds, was sporting perfection.

Our bar fell silent as the sprinters took their marks, before erupting into a cacophony of cheers and amazement as they powered toward the finish line. In that moment, national allegiances were forgotten – everyone was simply privileged to witness greatness. For the purity of competition and the exhibition of human potential at its very limit, the Olympic 100m final tops our list of the year's greatest sporting moments.

Honorable Mentions

Some moments that narrowly missed our top five include:

  • Emma Raducanu's comeback from injury to reach the Wimbledon final
  • The Six Nations decider between France and Ireland
  • Max Verstappen and Lando Norris's wheel-to-wheel battle at Silverstone
  • The NBA Finals Game 7 between Boston and Denver

These moments remind us why we love sports and why Chorny Sreda exists – to bring people together to witness greatness, share emotions, and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you cheered, cried, or simply sat in awe during these events, they represent the very best of what sport has to offer.

What was your favorite sporting moment of the year? Join us at Chorny Sreda to discuss over a cold beer and catch the next chapter of sporting history as it unfolds on our screens.