Puri (Odisha), April 4: The 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship concluded in Puri today with Maharashtra clinching the Women’s Championship title after a nail-biting encounter against host Odisha, while Indian Railways emerged victorious in the Men’s category, defeating defending champions Maharashtra in an electrifying contest.
Women’s Final: Maharashtra Edge Past Odisha in a Thriller
Maharashtra secured the women’s championship title with a 25-21 victory over Odisha in a high-stakes match. Odisha won the toss and chose to defend first, but Maharashtra’s aggressive attack limited the hosts to just 2 dream run points. Maharashtra’s defensive strategy, led by captain Ashwini Shinde, Priyanka Ingle, and Sandhya Survase, proved effective, with Ashwini holding firm until the final 2 minutes and 50 seconds of the first inning.
By halftime, the scores were tied at 10-10, setting the stage for an intense second half. Maharashtra’s attack overwhelmed Odisha, ousting six defenders quickly. When Maharashtra turned to defense, Sampada More delivered a crucial performance, securing her team’s 25-21 triumph. Notable moments included Odisha’s Magai Majhi executing a stunning skydive near the pole to dismiss Maharashtra’s Reshma Rathod and Archana Majhi securing a dream run point against formidable opposition.
Men’s Final: Railways Stun Maharashtra to Clinch Title
Railways delivered a commanding performance to defeat Maharashtra 36-27 in the men’s final. Maharashtra won the toss and opted to defend first, but Railways’ relentless attack saw nine defenders dismissed within the first turn. By halftime, Railways held a formidable 20-0 lead.
Despite Maharashtra’s counterattack, Railways maintained control, extending their lead to 35-13 in the second inning. Their final defensive turn showcased exceptional discipline, sealing the championship with a 36-27 win. Notable performances included Ramji Kashyap’s defensive resilience, Railways’ captain Mahesh Shinde’s exceptional endurance, and Maharashtra’s Rudra Thopate executing a stunning skydive to dismiss Railways’ Akshay Ganpule.
Individual Awards and Final Standings
Women’s Category:
- Best Defender: Archana Majhi (Odisha)
- Best Attacker: Reshma Rathod (Maharashtra)
- Rani Laxmibai Award (Player of the Tournament): Tanvi Bhosale (Maharashtra)
Men’s Category:
- Best Defender: Laxman Gawas (Maharashtra)
- Best Attacker: Rahul Mandal (Railways)
- Eklavya Award (Player of the Tournament): Jagannath Das (Railways)
Final Rankings:
Women:
- Maharashtra (Champions)
- Odisha (Runner-up)
- AAI (Joint 3rd)
- Delhi (Joint 3rd)
- Kolhapur (5th)
- Gujarat (6th)
- Karnataka (7th)
- Andhra Pradesh (8th)
Men:
- Railways (Champions)
- Maharashtra (Runner-up)
- Kolhapur (Joint 3rd)
- Odisha (Joint 3rd)
- Kerala (5th)
- West Bengal (6th)
- Andhra Pradesh (7th)
- Karnataka (8th)
Key Player Contributions
Women’s Defense:
- Priyanka Ingle (1:30 mins)
- Reshma Rathod (1:40 mins)
- Ashwini Shinde (1:40 mins)
- Tanvi Bhosale (3:00 mins in the second half)
- Sampada More (1:30 mins in the second half)
- Sanika Chafe (1:20 mins in the second half)
Women’s Attack:
- Reshma Rathod (6 dismissals)
- Priyanka Ingle (4 dismissals)
Men’s Defense:
- Arun Gunkhi (1:20 mins, 6 points – Railways)
- Rahul Mandal (1:40 mins, 4 points – Railways)
- Jagannath Das (1:40 mins, 4 points – Railways)
- Mahesh Shinde (1:40 mins and 1:20 mins – Railways)
- Laxman Gawas (1:40 mins – Maharashtra)
- Milind Chawarekar (1:40 mins – Maharashtra)
Men’s Attack:
- Piyush Gholam (6 points – Maharashtra)
- Nihar Dubale (4 points – Maharashtra)
- Rudra Thopte (4 points – Maharashtra)
- Suyash Gargate (4 points – Maharashtra)
- Dilip Khandvi (6 points – Railways)
Historic Firsts and Record Participation
The championship, which commenced on March 31 in Puri, marked several historic firsts:
- First time all matches were played on mats, ensuring a standardized and professional playing surface.
- Highest-ever participation, with 40 men’s and 40 women’s teams competing from across the country.
- Maharashtra Women clinched their 26th national title, continuing their dominance in the sport.
- Railways Men secured their 12th national title, reinforcing their legacy in Kho Kho.
With electrifying performances and record-breaking participation, the 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship has set a new benchmark for the sport in India.