China Media Group selects 10 sporting highlights from 2019 - CGTN

2019 was another sports feast, with new records set and old legends living on. Collectivism and individual personalities were demonstrated fully in different sports. Human limits were tested, and players' pursuit of perfection continued.

Ten international sporting highlights in 2019 were selected by the China Media Group on Friday:

Caeleb Dressel of the United States celebrates as he sets a new world record of 49.50 seconds after competing in the Men's 100m Butterfly Semifinal on day six of the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships at Nambu International Aquatics Centre in Gwangju, South Korea, July 26, 2019.

Caeleb Dressel of the United States celebrates as he sets a new world record of 49.50 seconds after competing in the Men's 100m Butterfly Semifinal on day six of the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships at Nambu International Aquatics Centre in Gwangju, South Korea, July 26, 2019.

1. From July 12 to July 28, nine new swimming world records were set at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates with the Masters Trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 14, 2019.

Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates with the Masters Trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 14, 2019.

2. On April 14, Tiger Woods captured his 15th major title with an epic back-nine rally in the final round at the U.S. Masters Tournament, making a mighty comeback after his 11-year major drought.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi poses with six Ballon d'Or trophies he won in his career so far during the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, December 2, 2019.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi poses with six Ballon d'Or trophies he won in his career so far during the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, December 2, 2019.

3. On December 2, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first footballer in history to win the award six times. The 32-year-old Argentina and Barcelona forward was voted FIFA Men's Player in the Year on September 23.

Team USA lifts the trophy after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between the United States of America and the Netherlands at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France, July 7, 2019.

Team USA lifts the trophy after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between the United States of America and the Netherlands at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France, July 7, 2019.

4. On July 7, the United States retained the FIFA Women's World Cup title in France, beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final.

Players of Liverpool FC celebrate the championship with the trophy during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2019.

Players of Liverpool FC celebrate the championship with the trophy during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2019.

5. On June 1, Liverpool won an all-English UEFA Champions League final, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to win the title for the sixth time.

The World Anti-Doping Agency slapped Russia with a four-year ban from international sporting events, preventing the country from having any formal presence at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The World Anti-Doping Agency slapped Russia with a four-year ban from international sporting events, preventing the country from having any formal presence at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

6. On December 9, the Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency banned Russia from taking part in or hosting major international sporting events for four years over the country's doping non-compliance.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (C) celebrates at the finish line during the match of "1:59 challenge" in Vienna, Austria, October 12, 2019.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (C) celebrates at the finish line during the match of "1:59 challenge" in Vienna, Austria, October 12, 2019.

7. On October 12, marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, clocking 1:59:40.2.

Alena Kostornaia of Russia competes in the Ladies Free Skating during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final at Palavela Arena in Turin, Italy, December 7, 2019.

Alena Kostornaia of Russia competes in the Ladies Free Skating during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final at Palavela Arena in Turin, Italy, December 7, 2019.

8. On December 7, Russia's teenage skater Alena Kostornaia set a new overall record score to claim her first figure skating Grand Prix Final title in Turin, Italy.

Simone Biles of Team USA wears the five gold medals she won at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, October 13, 2019.

Simone Biles of Team USA wears the five gold medals she won at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, October 13, 2019.

9. From October 4 to October 13, Simone Biles won five golds at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

Spain celebrates after winning the 2019 FIBA World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, China, September 15, 2019.

Spain celebrates after winning the 2019 FIBA World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, China, September 15, 2019.

10. On September 15, Spain captured its second FIBA basketball World Cup title after defeating Argentina 95-75 in the gold medal game at the Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China.