Sports in 2025: NBA Shockwaves, Vietnamese Athletes Break Historical Records

The year 2025 in sports witnessed numerous historic moments. From multiple victories and new records set to unexpected farewells.

10. Vietnamese Women's Volleyball Wins SEA V-League 2025

For the first time in history, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team defeated Thailand to claim the championship in the second leg of the SEA V-League 2025. This achievement not only signifies a title but also confirms a significant advancement in the skill and resilience of Vietnamese women's volleyball. The victory over Thailand is considered a historic milestone, ending a long-standing losing streak. Key players like Thanh Thúy and Bích Tuyền performed consistently and explosively at the crucial moment. This success has greatly boosted the confidence of Vietnamese women's volleyball on the continental stage.

9. SEA Games 33 and Vietnam's Sporting Mark

SEA Games 33 concluded with an impressive haul of 87 gold medals for the Vietnamese sports delegation. Vietnam solidified its position among the top countries in Southeast Asia. Several Olympic sports such as athletics, swimming, and shooting remained the backbone. SEA Games 33 also showcased the growth of the younger generation of athletes, seen as crucial preparation for the upcoming ASIAD and Olympics.

8. The Longest Roland Garros Final in History

The 2025 Roland Garros final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner entered history as it lasted over five hours. Alcaraz won after a thrilling chase, regarded as one of the greatest matches in modern tennis. The match clearly demonstrated a generational shift in men's tennis. Fans worldwide hailed it as the new symbol of the clay-court Grand Slam.

7. Nguyễn Thị Oanh Breaks Gold and National Records

The Queen of Athletics Nguyễn Thị Oanh made history again by breaking the national record in the 5,000m event. She became one of the most decorated female athletes in Vietnamese sports history. This accomplishment not only holds medal value but also reflects her extraordinary determination and endurance. Nguyễn Thị Oanh remains an inspiring icon for the younger generation. She also surpassed the previous record of 13 gold medals held by her senior Nguyễn Thị Huyền.

6. Thai Liên Quân Player Cheating Scandal

Southeast Asia's e-sports community was shaken when Thai Liên Quân Mobile player Tokyogurl was caught in a serious cheating scandal during SEA Games 33. Tokyogurl was accused by teammates of having someone else play on her behalf in matches at SEA Games 33. Severe penalties were imposed, including lifetime bans, contract termination, demands for sponsorship compensation, and potentially imprisonment. This incident severely damaged the image of Thai e-sports and highlighted the need for stricter management and ethics in competitive gaming.

5. T1 Visits Vietnam for Exchange and Competition

The T1 team came to Vietnam at the invitation of a sponsor at the end of 2025, creating unprecedented excitement within the Vietnamese League of Legends community. The entire T1 roster received an enthusiastic welcome from fans. This event not only served as an exchange but also strongly promoted e-sports culture in Vietnam. It also proved the growing community interest and collaborative development of e-sports in recent years. The arrival of such a globally influential team like T1 in Vietnam could mark the beginning of many more prominent teams coming in the future.

4. John Cena’s Heel Turn Shocks Pro Wrestling World

After over 20 years associated with a heroic image, John Cena unexpectedly 'turned heel' (became a villain) in a WWE storyline at the Elimination Chamber event. This moment immediately caused a global media storm because John Cena had maintained a heroic persona throughout his career. The video recording of this moment quickly reached nearly 10 million views on YouTube. Fans were very surprised by this twist, especially since 2025 is Cena’s final year in professional wrestling.

3. T1 Wins 6th League of Legends World Championship

T1 made history again by winning their sixth League of Legends World Championship. This was their third consecutive world title after victories in South Korea and the UK in 2023 and 2024. Faker and his teammates reaffirmed their status as the greatest team in League of Legends history. For Faker personally, this marked his sixth World Championship title in a career spanning over a decade.

2. John Cena Officially Retires

December 2025 marked the farewell of 'GOAT' John Cena from WWE. In his final career match at the SNME event, Cena 'tapped out' (submitted), something he had never done in over 20 years. His 24-year career ended with numerous titles and a massive legacy. John Cena is not just a wrestler but a global pop culture icon. He also holds the record for granting the most wishes for the 'Make A Wish' charity, fulfilling over 600 wishes worldwide. Fans affectionately call him the 'GOAT' with a record 17 world championship reigns in WWE.

1. Dallas Mavericks Trade Star Luka Doncic to LA Lakers

The biggest event of 2025 might be the Dallas Mavericks trading their star Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Fans saw this as the biggest NBA shock of 2025. Luka joined the Lakers, the league's most storied franchise. This decision sparked fierce debate among experts. Dallas Mavericks' management faced heavy criticism for letting go of a player considered the club’s icon for the past five years.