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    National and International Sports updates,  Important for Competitive Exams.

    India Clean-Sweep England 3-0 in Men’s Cricket ODI Series

    India delivered a dominant performance to clean-sweep England 3-0 in the ODI series. The final match, held in Ahmedabad on February 12, 2025, saw India defeat England by 142 runs.

    Shubman Gill was the star of the match, scoring a brilliant 112 off 104 balls, his seventh ODI century. Gill’s innings, along with Virat Kohli’s 52 and Shreyas Iyer’s 78, helped India post a formidable 356 runs in 50 overs.

    England struggled in their chase, being bowled out for 214 in 34.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel were the standout bowlers, taking two wickets each. This victory marked India’s second-largest win in terms of runs in ODIs against England.

    First-Ever Olympic Esports Games to be Held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    The first Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This event is part of a 12-year deal signed with Saudi Arabia in 2023.

    The IOC has been exploring Esports for years, aiming to attract a younger audience as interest in traditional sports declines. After launching the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021 as a test, the IOC formalized its commitment by partnering with Saudi Arabia for the Olympic Esports Games.

    IOC President Thomas Bach confirmed that there is now a clear roadmap for the Games, with preparations beginning in 2025. A six-member committee will decide which Esports titles will be included in the competition.

    Saudi Arabia has made major investments in global sports, including football, Formula One, boxing, and golf. However, critics accuse the country of “sportswashing” to distract from human rights concerns, a claim that Saudi Arabia denies.

    India retained U19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Title

    Trisha Gongadi put out a sparkling all-round performance as a dominant India retained their U19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup title with a nine-wicket win over South Africa in the summit clash at the Bayuemas Oval on 2 Feb 2025.

    A stellar bowling performance, with the spinners taking nine wickets – three of which went to Trisha – along with fielders stepping up nicely, helped Niki Prasad-led India bowl out South Africa for 82 on a slow pitch.

    In the chase, Trisha made 44 not out off 33 balls while Sanika Chalke slammed an unbeaten 26 off 22 deliveries to help India complete the chase in 11.2 overs. This victory marks India’s second successive triumph in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, showing their dominance at this level as they also became the first side to win the title without losing any game.

    Brief Scores:

    • South Africa 82 all out (Mieke van Voorst 23, Fay Cowling 15; Trisha Gongadi 3-15, Parunika Sisodia 2-6)
    • India 84/1 in 11.2 overs (Trisha Gongadi 44 not out, Sanika Chalke 26 not out; Kayla Reyneke 1-14)

    India won by nine wickets.

    Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa wins Tata Steel Masters 2025

    Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa clinched the prestigious Tata Steel Masters 2025 title by defeating World Champion D. Gukesh in a thrilling tiebreaker on 2 Feb 2025 at Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. This victory makes him the first Indian since Viswanathan Anand in 2006 to claim the prestigious title.

    The event ended dramatically, with both Gukesh and Pragg tied at 8.5 points after 13 rounds. In the tiebreak, Gukesh won the first of two blitz games and needed only a draw in the second to secure the title. However, Pragg staged a stunning comeback, winning both blitz games to clinch the championship.

    Sachin Tendulkar Honoured with BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

    Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been honoured with the BCCI’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board’s annual gala in Mumbai on 1 February 2025. Tendulkar, now 51, becomes the 31st recipient of this prestigious award, which was first introduced in 1994 to honor India’s inaugural cricket captain, Col. C.K. Nayudu.

    Throughout his illustrious career, Tendulkar played an astounding 664 international matches for India, amassing the highest number of runs in both Test (15,921) and ODI (18,426) cricket history. He also holds the record for the most appearances in both formats, with 200 Test matches and 463 ODIs to his name. One of Tendulkar’s crowning achievements was being a crucial member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, marking his record sixth and final tournament appearance.

    In recent years, other notable recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include former India head coach Ravi Shastri and wicket-keeping legend Farokh Engineer, who received the honor in 2023.

    Jasprit Bumrah wins Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as ICC men’s cricketer of the year 2024

    Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been honored with the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024, recognizing his exceptional performance across all cricket formats.

    Bumrah becomes the first Indian pacer to win this award, joining an elite list of Indian cricketers that includes Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018). 

    Bumrah played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Additionally, he dominated Test cricket with 71 wickets in 13 matches, the highest by any bowler in 2024. Despite strong competition, Bumrah also won the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award.

    PM Modi inaugurates 38th National Games in Dehradun

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games in Dehradun on January 28, 2025. The event, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, marks the 25th anniversary of Uttarakhand’s formation and features over 10,000 athletes from across India.

    The theme for this year’s games is “Green Games,” emphasizing sustainability with eco-friendly medals and a tree planted for each medal winner.

    The National Games of India is a prestigious multi-sport event where athletes from various states and union territories compete in disciplines such as athletics, boxing, and swimming.

    Jasprit Bumrah wins ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award 

    Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 for his outstanding performance. He took an astonishing 71 wickets while bowling 357 overs in 13 matches, at an average of 14.92 in 2024.

    Renowned for his yorkers and consistency, Bumrah was instrumental in India’s success across formats, including the ODI World Cup and major Test series.

    Smriti Mandhana named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024 performances

    India’s opener and vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, has been named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 for her exceptional performance.

    She scored a career-best 747 runs in 13 innings, leading the Women’s ODI run charts, surpassing players Laura Wolvaardt (697), Tammy Beaumont (554), and Hayley Matthews (469).

    This is her third ICC recognition, having won in 2018 and 2022 as well.

    Iniyan Panneerselvam Clinches Johor International Open Chess Title

    Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Panneerselvam, 22, secured the title at the 9th Johor International Open chess tournament in Malaysia on 24 Jan 2025. With a total of 8.5 points in nine rounds, Iniyan outperformed 84 participants from 8 countries, including four International Masters and one Grandmaster.

    His victory in the final round against Vietnamese GM Nguyen Van Huy sealed his dominating performance. Iniyan finished 1.5 points ahead of his closest competitor.

    Indian Cricket Team for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

    On 18 January 2025, the BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ODI series against England. Key players like Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami are included.

    ODI Series against England: Matches on 6, 9, and 12 February 2025.

    ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Begins on 19 February 2025 in Dubai. India in Group A, playing: Bangladesh on 20 February, Pakistan on 23 February, and New Zealand on 2 March. All matches will be held in Dubai.

    India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain)

    Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

    Kho Kho World Cup 2025: Men’s & women’s teams lift trophies

    Indian Women’s and Men’s Teams: Both teams won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup on January 19, 2025.

    Women’s Final: India defeated Nepal 78-40 at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

    Men’s Final: India defeated Nepal 54-36 at the same venue.

    Dominant Performance: The Indian teams showcased strong strategies and aggressive play, keeping their opponents on the defensive.

    Acknowledgments: Women’s team coach Sumit Bhatia praised Nepal’s effort, while Captain Priyanka Ingle credited the win to the players’ and coaches’ hard work and dedication.

    National Sports Awards 2024 conferred by President Droupadi Murmu

    National Sports Awards 2024 conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on 17 January 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

    Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:

    • D. Gukesh (World Chess Champion)
    • Manu Bhaker (Olympic double medalist)
    • Harmanpreet Singh (Men’s Hockey Team Captain)
    • Praveen Kumar (Paralympic gold medalist)

    Dronacharya Award: for Coaches:

    • Subhash Rana (Para-shooting)
    • Deepali Deshpande (Shooting)
    • Sandeep Sangwan (Hockey)
    • S. Muralidharan (Badminton)
    • Armando Agnelo Colaco (Football)

    Arjuna Award: Given to 32 sportspersons, including:

    • Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani (Athletics)
    • Nitu, Saweety (Boxing)
    • Vantika Agrawal (Chess)
    • Hockey players: Salima Tete, Abhishek, Sanjay, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh
    • Para-athletes: Rakesh Kumar, Preeti Pal, Ajeet Singh, and others.

    Lifetime Arjuna Awards: Recipients: Sucha Singh (Athletics) and Murlikant Petkar (Para-swimming).

    MAKA Trophy: Awarded to Chandigarh University for being the top-performing university in the Khelo India University Games.

    India Women’s Cricket Team Sets Records with 304-Run Victory Over Ireland in Rajkot

    India’s Record-Breaking Victory: In Women’s Cricket, India achieved its largest-ever win by 304 runs against Ireland in the 3rd ODI in Rajkot, Gujarat, on 15 January 2025. India won the three-match series 3-0.

    Historic Batting Performance:

    India score 435/5 in 50 overs—its highest-ever ODI total and the fourth-highest in Women’s cricket history.

    Smriti Mandhana scored 135 runs off 80 balls, registering India’s fastest ODI century.

    Pratika Rawal scored her maiden ODI century with 154 runs off 129 balls, forming a 231-run partnership with Mandhana in 26.4 overs.

    Richa Ghosh added a quick 59 runs off 42 balls.

    Ireland’s Response: Ireland was bowled out for 131 runs in 31.4 overs.

    Ira Jadhav Shatters Records with Unbeaten 346 in Women’s Under 19 One Day Trophy

    On January 13, 2024, Ira Jadhav from Mumbai became the highest individual scorer in Women’s Under 19 One Day Trophy history. The 14-year-old prodigy played an unbeaten inning of 346 runs off 157 balls against Meghalaya at the Alur Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru.

    Her extraordinary performance, which included 42 fours and 16 sixes, led Mumbai to a monumental total of 563 for 3 in 50 overs. Ira’s achievement surpassed the previous record held by Smriti Mandhana, who scored 224 runs off 150 deliveries in 2013 while playing for Maharashtra. This remarkable feat has set a new benchmark in women’s domestic cricket and highlighted Ira’s immense potential as a future star.

    Suryakumar Yadav to Lead India in Five-Match T20I Series against England

    The BCCI has announced a 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series against England, starting on 22 January 2025 in Kolkata.

    Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, with Axar Patel as vice-captain. Mohammed Shami returns to the squad after over a year, joined by players like Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma.

    After the T20I series, England will also play three ODIs, which serve as India’s final preparation for the Champions Trophy starting on 19 February 2025. The ODI squads are yet to be finalized, and BCCI plans to request an extension for submitting the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, which is due on 12 January.

    Kho Kho World Cup 2025 Kicks Off in New Delhi

    The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 began on 13 January 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, supported by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

    The tournament features 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams. India’s men’s team, led by Pratik Waikar, is in Group A alongside Nepal, Peru, Brazil, and Bhutan.

    The women’s team, led by Priyanka Ingle, is in Group A with Iran, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the finals scheduled for 19 January 2025.

    Anahat Singh Clinches Under-17 Girls’ Singles Title at British Junior Open Squash Tournament

    Anahat Singh, a 16-year-old top-seed Indian squash player, won the Under-17 Girls’ Singles title at the British Junior Open 2025 in Birmingham, England, on 6 January 2025.

    She defeated Malika El Karaksy of Egypt in the final with a score of 3-2 (4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3), coming from behind twice.

    This is Anahat’s third British Junior Open title, following victories in the Under-11 category in 2019 and Under-15 category in 2023.

    Earlier in the tournament, she beat Ruqayya Salem (3-1) in the semi-finals and Nadia Tamer (3-0) in the quarter-finals.

    In 2024, Anahat won nine PSA Challenger titles, the most by any woman globally.

    Varun Tomar becomes national shooting champion by winning the Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol finals

    In the 67th National Shooting Championship 2024, Varun Tomar of the Indian Army emerged as the national shooting champion by winning the Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol finals at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on January 5, 2025.

    His teammate, Pradhyumn Singh, won the Silver medal, while Aakash Bhardwaj from Rajasthan secured the Bronze medal.

    Varun Tomar also triumphed in the Men’s Junior 10-meter Air Pistol event, winning the Gold medal, with Nikhil from Uttar Pradesh winning Silver and Pradhyumn Singh taking Bronze.

    In the Men’s Youth 10-meter Air Pistol event, Chirag Sharma from Uttar Pradesh won the Gold medal, Dev Pratap, also from Uttar Pradesh, won Silver, and Mayank Choudhary of Rajasthan secured the Bronze medal.

    Kho Kho World Cup in India from January 13 to 19, 2025

    Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup: Scheduled in India from January 13 to 19, 2025.

    Participation: Features 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries.

    Trophies: Men’s trophy is blue (trust and determination), women’s trophy is green (growth and vitality).

    Mascots: Tejas and Tara, gazelles representing speed, agility, and teamwork.

    Significance: Aims to establish Kho Kho as a global sport.

    National Sports Awards 2025

    The National Sports Awards have been announced on January 2, 2025.

    Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Recipients:

    • D Gukesh: World Chess Champion
    • Manu Bhaker: Double Medalist in Paris Olympics
    • Harmanpreet Singh: Indian Hockey Team Captain
    • Praveen Kumar: Gold Medalist in Paris Paralympics

    Arjuna Award:

    Total recipients: 32 sportspersons, including:

    • Athletes: Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani
    • Boxers: Nitu, Saweety
    • Chess Player: Vantika Agrawal
    • Hockey Players: Salima Tete, Abhishek, Sanjay, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh
    • Para-Sportspersons: Rakesh Kumar (Para-Archer), Preeti Pal, Jeevanji Deepthi, Ajeet Singh, Sachin Khilari

    Lifetime Achievement Arjuna Awards:

    • Veteran Athlete Sucha Singh
    • Veteran Para Swimmer Murlikant Petkar

    Dronacharya Award for Coaches:

    • Subhash Rana (Para-Shooting)
    • Deepali Deshpande (Shooting)
    • Sandeep Sangwan (Hockey)
    • S Muralidharan (Badminton)
    • Armando Agnelo Colaco (Football)

    Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Awarded to the Physical Education Foundation of India

    Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Awarded to Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University, and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

    Award Ceremony: Awards to be presented by President Droupadi Murmu on 17th January 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi share World Blitz Chess Championship Title 2024

    In the World Blitz Chess Championship 2024, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shared the title after their final match ended in a tie in New York on 31 December 2024.

    World Blitz Chess Championship 2024 – Open Section:

    • Carlsen led 2-0 and needed just a draw in the third game to secure the title.
    • Nepomniachtchi leveled the score 2-2, forcing tiebreaks.
    • After three draws in sudden-death games, Carlsen proposed sharing the title, which Nepomniachtchi accepted.

    Women’s Section: Ju Wenjun from China defeated Lei Tingjie in the final to win the World Blitz Championship, completing a double after drawing five games.

    India’s Performance: R. Vaishali, India’s lone hope in the knockouts, overcame an initial loss in the quarterfinals against China’s Zhu Jiner, winning 2.5-1.5 after four games. In the semifinals, Vaishali lost to Ju Wenjun in a one-sided match, 0.5-2.5.

    West Bengal lifts Santosh Trophy by defeating Kerala

    West Bengal clinched the prestigious Santosh Trophy national football championship title by defeating Kerala 1-0 in the final held on December 31, 2024, at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad.

    This victory marks West Bengal’s record-extending 33rd title in the tournament’s history.

    The match-winner came in the added time of the second half when Robi Hansda scored from close range after Aditya Thapa‘s header into the box.

    The team, led by coach Sanjoy Sen, showcased incredible performance throughout the tournament, overcoming the absence of key striker Naro Hari Shrestha due to injury.

    Hemanth Muddappa: The First to 15 National Titles in Indian Motorsports

    Hemanth Muddappa secured his 15th National Title on December 29, 2024 at the fourth and final round of the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2024 at the Madras International Circuit (MIC).

    Triple Crown Victory: Muddappa triumphed in three different classes, winning two and securing second place in the third.

    Unbeatable Lead: Before the final race, Muddappa had already secured his 13th title with an unbeatable lead of 29 points in the 4-stroke 1051 to 1650cc Super Sport class.

    Career Milestone: With this win, Muddappa became the first athlete in Indian motorsports to achieve 15 National titles.

    Nickname: He is nicknamed ‘LightningR1’ for his exceptional speed.

    Team: Muddappa credited his success to his team at Mantra Racing and the dedicated mechanics.

    Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Australia’s Victory in the Fourth Test

    On 30 December 2024, In Border-Gavaskar Trophy Cricket, Australia registered a 184 run victory over India on the fifth and final day of the fourth test in Melbourne.

    Border-Gavaskar Trophy

    The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a prestigious Test cricket series played between India and Australia. Named after legendary cricketers Sunil Gavaskar of India and Allan Border of Australia, the series has been a thrilling showcase of cricketing prowess since its inception in 1996.

    Key Highlights:

    1. Format: The series typically consists of a 5-match Test series.
    2. Historical Significance: India and Australia have faced off 28 times in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India winning 10 series, Australia winning 8, and 10 ending in a draw.
    3. Notable Players: Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in the series, while Nathan Lyon leads in the number of wickets taken.
    4. Recent Matches: The latest series in 2024 saw Australia leading 2-1 after four matches, with the final match scheduled in Sydney.
    5. Memorable Moments: The series has witnessed numerous memorable performances, including epic battles between batsmen and bowlers, and dramatic finishes.

    Koneru Humpy clinches women’s title at World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2024

    On December 29, 2024, the World Rapid and Blitz Championship was held in New York.

    Winner in Women’s Category: India’s Koneru Humpy won her second women’s title by defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukander. Humpy finished the tournament with 8.5 points from 11 rounds.

    Age and Achievement: At 37, she became the second player after China’s Ju Wenjun to win the title more than once. Humpy first won the championship in 2019 at Georgia.

    Winner in Men’s Category: Russia’s Volodar Murzin, aged 18, won the men’s championship.

    Record: Murzin became the second-youngest FIDE World Rapid Champion, following Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who won at age 17.

    Torch Rally for the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand

    Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the torch procession of the 38th National Games from Haldwani in Nainital district on December 26, 2024.

    Route and Duration: The torch will travel through 99 locations across 13 districts over 33 days, covering a distance of 3,823 kilometers.

    Culmination: The relay will conclude in Dehradun on January 25, 2025, just before the National Games’ inauguration on January 28.

    Purpose: The rally aims to raise awareness about the National Games and engage the public in sports activities.

    Significance: Hosting the National Games is seen as a historic opportunity for Uttarakhand to foster a sports culture and contribute to the state’s development.

    About the National Games

    1. History: The National Games are a multi-sport event held in India, showcasing the country’s athletic talent.
    2. Frequency: Held every four years, the event brings together athletes from across the nation to compete in various sports.
    3. Purpose: The Games aim to promote sportsmanship, unity, and excellence in sports among Indian athletes.
    4. Inclusion of Traditional Sports: For the first time, yoga and mallakhamb will be included as demonstration sports in the National Games.
    5. Infrastructure Development: Significant investments have been made in sports infrastructure, including new playgrounds, upgraded stadiums, and facilities for various sports.

    Bumrah Equals Ashwin’s Record with 904 Rating Points in ICC Men’s Test Bowling Ranking

    Jasprit Bumrah has reached 904 rating points in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings, equaling the highest rating ever achieved by an Indian bowler, previously held by Ravichandran Ashwin.

    Upcoming Opportunity: Bumrah has the chance to surpass this record during the Melbourne Test beginning on 26 December 2024 between India and Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

    Outstanding Performance: Bumrah’s stellar performance in Brisbane, where he took 9 wickets for 94 runs, earned him 14 rating points and solidified his top position in the Test Bowling Rankings.

    M Raghu & Devika Sihag Wins Senior National Badminton Titles 2024

    86th Senior National Badminton Tournament held in Bengaluru from 18 to 24 December 2024.

    • Men’s Singles Champion: Karnataka’s M. Raghu defeated Mithun Manjunath (14-21, 21-14, 24-22), saving three match points in the decider.
    • Women’s Singles Champion: Haryana’s Devika Sihag secured a comfortable win over Shriyanshi Valishetty (21-15, 21-16).
    • Men’s Doubles Winners: Sanskar Saraswat and Arsh Mohammad.
    • Women’s Doubles Winners: Arathi Sara Sunil and Varshini VS.
    • Mixed Doubles Winners: Ayush Agarwal and Shruti Mishra.

    Fixtures for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025

    The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 in Cricket will take place from 19th February to 9th March 2025.

    Host: Pakistan will host its first global cricket tournament since 1996, alongside the UAE as a neutral venue.

    Group A Teams: India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

    Group B Teams: Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.

    Opening Match: The tournament begins with Pakistan facing New Zealand on 19th February in Karachi.

    India’s Matches: India’s first match is against Bangladesh on 20th February in Dubai, followed by a match against Pakistan on 23rd February in Dubai.

    Venues: Matches will be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, and Dubai in the UAE.

    Semi-finals and Final: The first semi-final will be on 4th March in Dubai, the second semi-final and final on 5th March and 9th March in Lahore. If India qualifies, these matches will be in Dubai.

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