India made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The Indian men’s team defeated Nepal 54-36 in the final, while the women’s team outplayed Nepal with a dominant 78-40 victory.The tournament, supported by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams from across the world. India remained undefeated in both categories, proving their dominance in the traditional Indian sport.
Men’s Final: India Outplays Nepal
In the men’s final, Nepal won the toss and chose to defend first. India capitalized on this advantage, securing a strong 26-0 lead by the end of Turn 1. Nepal fought back in Turn 2, narrowing the gap to 26-18. However, India dominated Turn 3, extending their lead to 54-18.
Despite Nepal’s best efforts in the final turn, India maintained control and sealed the match with a 54-36 win, becoming the first-ever men’s Kho Kho World Cup champions.
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all four Group A matches, including a close 42-37 victory over Nepal. In the knockout rounds, they defeated Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals and South Africa in the semi-finals before claiming the championship title.
Women’s Final: A Stunning Performance by India
The Indian women’s team delivered an even more commanding performance. Nepal won the toss and chose to defend, but India quickly ran out Nepal’s defenders within the first minute of Turn 1. Led by captain Priyanka Ingle, India took a massive 34-0 lead.
Nepal attempted to fight back in Turn 2, reducing the deficit to 35-24. However, India continued their dominance in Turn 3, eliminating six batches of Nepalese defenders to extend their lead to 73-24. With a solid defense in the final turn, India secured a comfortable 78-40 win and became the first-ever Women’s Kho Kho World Cup champions.
The Indian women’s team also remained undefeated throughout the competition, winning all their group-stage matches before knocking out Bangladesh in the quarter-finals and South Africa in the semi-finals.
With both teams securing victory in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, India has reinforced its supremacy in this fast-paced, traditional sport. This historic win marks a significant step in bringing Kho Kho to a global audience.
https://olympics.com/en/video/india-vs-nepal-women-final-highlights-kho-kho-world-cup-2025
