Indian Women's Kabaddi Team Secures Gold at Asian Beach Games
Historic Victory for Indian Women's Kabaddi Team
Photo: IANS
Sanya (China), April 27: The Indian women's beach kabaddi team has triumphed, winning the gold medal by defeating Sri Lanka decisively in the final match at the Asian Beach Games held here on Monday.
With a score of 47-31, the Indian women achieved a significant victory over the reigning champions, Sri Lanka, marking their sixth consecutive title win. This victory also represents India's first gold medal in this edition of the Asian Beach Games.
Prior to the final, the Indian team secured their spot by overcoming Bangladesh with a score of 50-31 in the semifinals, ensuring their first medal of the tournament.
"A historic moment in Sanya, China! The Indian Women’s Kabaddi team has claimed GOLD at the 6th Asian Beach Games, defeating Sri Lanka 47-31. This is India’s first medal of the games! The dedication shown during the training at the SAI RC Gandhinagar national coaching camp has truly paid off," shared SAI Gandhinagar on X.
In addition, the men's kabaddi team also advanced to the finals, achieving a strong 50–27 victory against Pakistan, thereby securing India's second medal at the event.
The Asian Beach Games, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), is a multi-sport event that highlights beach and coastal sports. The inaugural games took place in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008, featuring sports that are not typically included in the Asian Games.
The last edition of the Asian Beach Games occurred in 2016 in Da Nang, Vietnam, and was originally set to return in 2020. However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused significant delays, with the event now resuming after a decade.
This year's games are being hosted entirely in the resort city of Sanya, with India sending a contingent of 31 members.
During the 2016 edition, India achieved a total of 24 medals, which included two gold, four silver, and 18 bronze. The women’s kabaddi team won gold, while the men’s team earned silver. India’s other gold medal was secured in vocotruyen, where Shweta More excelled in the women’s 52kg category.