Sports in review 2018: New eras begin worldwide

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2018 has proven to be a fruitful year for sports on and off the field. There were historic breakthroughs and inspiring championship victories, young stars on the rise and veterans proving why they've held the top spot so long, superstar transfers and much more.

As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at the sports highlights from the last 12 months.

Inter-Korean relations improved at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics

The delegation of Republic of Korea (ROK) enters the stadium during the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, February 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) used the PyeongChang Winter Olympics as a chance to restart dialogue and commence cooperation. Since then, the situation on the peninsula has undergone positive changes.

The two sides held a basketball friendly match on July 2018 in Pyongyang for the first time since October 2003, amid the warming of relations that has happened since the Winter Olympics.

France lifted the 2018 World Cup trophy

Blue, White, and Red lights and two World Cup stars are projected on the Eiffel Tower after France won the 2018 World Cup final, July 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

The thrilling tournament dominated the summer in 2018.

After overcoming a determined Croatia to win 4-2 in the final, the French team lifted the World Cup trophy in Russia for the second time in 20 years.

'1998' is back! France deserved to win the tournament.

Luka Modric ended the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo

Luka Modric kisses the Ballon d'Or trophy at the The Grand Palais in Paris, December 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

The year ushered in glorious moments for Croatia's captain Luka Modric.

The 33-year-old, after having already been crowned the best player in the 2018 World Cup and UEFA player of the year, ended the supremacy of Messi and Ronaldo to win both FIFA Best Men's Player award and the Ballon d'Or.

Luka Modric had a fantastic season, leading Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title and being considered the best player at the World Cup this year, in which Croatia reached the final for the first time.

It has been 11 years since the last player who lifted the Ballon d'Or award was not Ronaldo or Messi. Brazil and AC Milan star Kaka was congratulated for his excellent performance in UEFA Champions League in 2007.

First LOL World Championship title for Chinese mainland

Invictus Gaming (IG) players look excited on the stage after winning the League of Legends (LOL) World Championship, November 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

Chinese eSports club Invictus Gaming (IG) claimed Chinese mainland's first world championship title in League of Legends (LOL) after beating European team Fnatic 3-0 in Inchon, S. Korea on November 3.

The win marks a great achievement for China's eSports industry. With an annual growth of 20 percent over the past three years, China's eSports user base is expected to reach 430 million by the end of this year.

Ronaldo signed with Juventus from Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo attends the press conference as a player of Juventus, July 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

It's a huge sum, but it was beneficial for the Italian giant Juventus to spend over 100 million euros in a single transfer. On July 10, it was announced that Cristiano Ronaldo joined Italian champions Juventus from Real Madrid on a four-year contract, marking an end to his nearly decade-long career with Spanish giants.

The team sold 520,000 shirts bearing Ronaldo's name within 24 hours and his arrival saw Juventus' share value rapidly increase in two months.

The summer move of the Portuguese soccer star shocked the world.

LeBron James' moved to the LA Lakers

A mural of LeBron James in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey is viewed in Venice, California, July 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

LeBron James' decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers entirely changed the landscape of the NBA.

Teams in the Eastern Conference are happy to see an easier path forward with James out of the way, while teams in the West have to face a tougher time getting into the playoffs.

The four-time NBA MVP reached a four-year deal with Lakers worth about 154 million U.S. dollars, making it the biggest NBA topic in 2018.

Cancer-hit Lee Chong Wei is recovering well

Malaysia's badminton player Lee Chong Wei speaks during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

Malaysia's legendary badminton player Lee Chong Wei was diagnosed with nose cancer nearly three months ago.

The 36-year-old has sought treatment in China's Taiwan and the condition improved. Malaysia's badminton chief confirmed on December that Lee is already doing light fitness work after receiving a clean bill of health from doctors.

Let's send our best wishes to Datuk!

Tomokazu Harimoto becomes youngest ITTF Grand Finals champion

Tomokazu Harimoto celebrates after winning the singles final at the table tennis World Tour Grand Finals in Incheon, S. Korea, December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

15-year-old Tomokazu Harimoto, ranked fifth in the world, beat No. 4 Lin Gaoyuan of China to become the youngest World Tour Grand Finals champion in table tennis history.

The rising of Harimoto was not sudden. Apart from Lin, China's Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Xu Xi and world No.1 Fan Zhendong are among the list of his defeated opponents.

A powerful youth storm sweeps over as China's table tennis boss Liu Guoliang warns players of the new Japanese challenge.

Lewis Hamilton drew with Fangio with fifth F1 title

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain celebrates his fifth Formula One world championship title at Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico, October 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

The skills that Lewis Hamilton possesses in F1 are undisputed.

The Mercedes driver's fifth championship in Mexico drew him level with the Argentine great Juan Manuel Fangio on F1's all-time table, with only seven-time champion Michael Schumacher ahead of him.

Did anyone believe this was possible when he won his first championship title a decade ago?

Naomi Osaka made history with U.S. Open win

Naomi Osaka of Japan lifts the trophy after winning the 2018 U.S. Open women's singles final match against Serena Williams, September 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

Fantasy turned to reality at the 2018 U.S. Open final.

21-year-old Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles title following her victory over idol Serena Williams.

Osaka also became Asia's second Grand Slam singles champion after China's Li Na.

With the U.S. Open championship and Indian Wells title, Osaka claimed a career-high WTA ranking of No. 4 in 2018.