SPORTS DESK: India Clinches Women’s Kabaddi World Cup Crown
The Indian women’s kabaddi team etched another chapter in sporting history by clinching the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
In a pulse-racing final on November 24, they outmaneuvered Chinese Taipei 35-28, sealing their second straight title with flawless execution.
This triumph underscores the sport’s rising global pulse, drawing 11 nations to the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium.
Flawless Run to the Summit
From the group stage, India displayed unrelenting dominance, topping their pool without a single setback.
They dispatched Thailand, Bangladesh, Germany, and Uganda with clinical precision, showcasing a blend of swift raids and ironclad defense.
Captain Ritu Negi steered the squad through every challenge, her leadership a quiet force amid the high-stakes frenzy.
The semi-final against Iran added another layer of intensity, ending 33-21 in India’s favor.
Chinese Taipei, equally unbeaten in groups, edged hosts Bangladesh 25-18 to advance, setting up a clash of titans.
Yet India’s composure turned the final into a masterclass, pulling ahead decisively after a tight first half.
Stars Who Shone Brightest
Key performers turned the tide with moments of sheer brilliance. Sanju Devi, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, dazzled with a game-changing super raid and relentless tackles that sparked the first all-out.
Her energy rippled through the team, fueling a late surge that left opponents scrambling.
Standout contributors:
- Pushpa Rana: Anchored the raid line with daring do-or-die efforts.
- Champa Thakur and Bhawna Thakur: Built an impenetrable wall in defense, thwarting counterattacks.
- Sakshi Sharma: Delivered crucial bonus points, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
These athletes from regions like Himachal Pradesh highlight kabaddi’s grassroots roots, proving talent thrives beyond big cities.
Echoes of Earlier Triumphs
This victory caps a banner year for Indian women’s kabaddi, following their Asian Championship conquest in March.
The back-to-back World Cup wins, after a 13-year gap since 2012, signal a sport evolving from local mats to international arenas.
With Bangladesh as the first non-Indian host, the event spotlights kabaddi’s broadening appeal worldwide.
Modi’s Words Fuel the Fire
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the feat on X, calling it a beacon for aspiring athletes. “Congratulations to our Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team for making the nation proud by winning the Kabaddi World Cup 2025! They have showcased outstanding grit, skills, and dedication. Their victory will inspire countless youngsters to pursue Kabaddi, dream bigger, and aim higher,” he posted.
He also celebrated the Indian blind women’s cricket team’s T20 World Cup success, praising their unbeaten run as a testament to teamwork and resolve.
Such endorsements from the top not only boost morale but also weave sports deeper into the national fabric.
As celebrations ripple across India, this win whispers a larger promise: more girls stepping onto the mat, chasing horizons once out of reach.