Historic Day for Indian Kho Kho Teams: Women and Men Clinch Inaugural World Cup Titles
NEW DELHI: A historic Sunday unfolded at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, as both the Indian men’s and women’s teams claimed the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup titles with dominant performances over Nepal in their respective finals.
The women’s team set the stage with an emphatic 78-40 victory. Their triumph was marked by a flawless display of speed, strategy, and precision. Captain Priyanka Ingle spearheaded the attack, accumulating multiple touch points and guiding her team to a strong 14-point lead in Turn 1. India maintained their dominance, entering halftime with a 34-11 advantage, and continued to control the match.
A game-changing Dream Run by B Chaithra in Turn 4, lasting over five minutes, sealed the win and secured India’s place in Kho Kho history as the first-ever women’s world champions.
The women’s team’s journey to the final featured impressive victories against South Korea, Iran, and Malaysia in the group stages. They then cruised past Bangladesh in the quarterfinals and overcame South Africa in the semifinals to reach the pinnacle.
Later in the evening, the Indian men’s team followed suit with a convincing 54-36 win over Nepal. Captain Pratik Waikar and standout player Ramji Kashyap were instrumental, with Pratik’s remarkable skills and Ramji’s jaw-dropping skydives keeping Nepal under pressure throughout the match. India dominated Turn 1, scoring 26 unanswered points, which put them in a commanding position.
Despite Nepal’s determined efforts to mount a comeback in Turn 4, India’s rock-solid defence, led by Pratik Waikar and Sachin Bhargo, remained impenetrable.
The men’s team’s path to the final included dominant victories over Brazil, Peru, and Bhutan in the group stages, followed by impressive knockout wins over Bangladesh and South Africa.
This double victory underscores India’s dominance in the sport, with both the men’s and women’s teams etching their names as the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup champions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both teams, celebrating the historic win on social media.
“Congratulations to the Indian women’s team on winning the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup! This victory reflects their unmatched skill, dedication, and teamwork,” Modi wrote, adding that this achievement would inspire future generations to take up the sport.
The prime minister also lauded the men’s team’s performance, calling it a “great day for Indian Kho Kho.”
“Today’s victory is a testament to the grit and perseverance of our men’s team. Their victory will further popularize Kho Kho among the youth,” he remarked.