Prime Minister Narendra Modi led nationwide celebrations on Monday as the Indian women’s kabaddi team defended their World Cup crown, defeating Chinese Taipei 35-28 in a thrilling final at Dhaka to clinch the 2025 title. In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister hailed the squad’s “outstanding grit, skills, and dedication,” declaring that their victory would inspire countless youngsters to pursue the sport and “dream bigger and aim higher.” The triumph marks India’s second consecutive Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, reinforcing the country’s unchallenged dominance in the discipline.
The Indian team, under the captaincy and raiding spearhead of Pooja Kumari, delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament hosted by Bangladesh. They swept all group-stage encounters before overpowering Asian rivals Iran 33-21 in the semi-final. Chinese Taipei, who also remained unbeaten until the final and dispatched hosts Bangladesh 25-18 in their semi-final, provided stiff resistance but ultimately fell short against India’s relentless raiding and defensive precision in the summit clash.
Eleven nations participated in the 2025 edition, the highest-ever turnout for the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, reflecting the sport’s rapid global expansion. India’s victory extends an extraordinary winning streak: the senior women’s team has now claimed every World Cup title since the inaugural event in 2012, with successive triumphs in 2022 and 2025. The men’s team, meanwhile, has won all four editions held since 2016, making kabaddi one of the few sports where India enjoys complete international supremacy.
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The Prime Minister’s praise underscored kabaddi’s growing cultural resonance and its role in empowering women athletes. “Congratulations to our Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team for making the nation proud by winning the Kabaddi World Cup 2025!” Modi wrote, emphasizing how the players’ “relentless spirit and skill” exemplified excellence. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and several chief ministers also extended greetings, with many highlighting the team’s achievement as a Diwali-week gift to the country. The squad is expected to receive a grand welcome upon returning home later this week.
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