Who won the Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025? India beat Nepal to clinch inaugural World Championship title

The tournament demonstrated how closely contested fixtures and tactical precision can captivate audiences, raising interest beyond traditional strongholds. Yes, India emerged as the champion in both the categories of men and women, securing the titles with unbeaten runs and decisive victories against Nepal in the final matches. Sagar Rajput earned the Best Defender title in the tournament of men through consistent evasive runs, time-maximising strategies, and quick directional shifts. As a defender, Rajput excelled in resisting high-pressure chase sequences from aggressive opponents, particularly during group of India stage matches and the knockout rounds.

Sky-dives were the name of the game for the Men in Blue, and this ensured a bright start for the side in Turn 1, preventing the Dream Run for their opponents. At the end of the turn, the scoreline was 26-0 in favor of the Indians — a perfect start for the side. Their attendance showed the significance of this milestone event in Kho Kho’s journey from a traditional Indian sport to a global phenomenon on its way to being an Olympic Sport. The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup finals witnessed an illustrious gathering of dignitaries, adding prestige to this historic sporting event. Sumitra Mahajan, Supreme Court Judge Shri Pankaj Mithal, and Hon’ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju graced the occasion with their presence.

India showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, beginning with convincing victories over Brazil, Peru, and Bhutan in the group stages. Their momentum continued through the knockout rounds, where they outclassed Bangladesh in the quarterfinals before overcoming a strong South African side in the semifinals. While India remained unbeaten in the group stage, Nepal also delivered dominant performances in their group matches and knockout rounds. The host nation won both titles, defeating Nepal in the final matches of both male and female divisions with dominant performances throughout the entire tournament. While both units achieved identical success, the performance metrics reveal slightly higher scoring outputs in the female category.

Celebration Across India

The defensive tactics of Rajput were precise, and his sense of timing made scoring difficult for every opposing raider. Her ability to create sequences of rapid tagging across multiple batches contributed heavily to early dominance of India in each round. Anshu Kumari of India was named the Best Attacker of the match, while Manmati Dhami of Nepal earned the Best Defender title. India’s trusty trio of defenders, led by Chaithra, would yet again exhaust the visitors, piling on Dream Runs at will as they choked out Nepal’s hopes and dreams methodically. Lifting the World Cup trophy was the proudest moment of life,” Pratik said in the exclusive chat with WION’s Aditya Pimpale.

What These Results Mean For Future Tournaments

These recognitions not only reflected statistical performance and highlighted leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. India cemented its dominance in traditional tag sport by securing both titles of men and women in the first edition of the international competition. The tournament, hosted at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, signified a defining moment in bringing Kho Kho to international prominence.

Across the tournament, Bhosale scored critical points in every match, frequently turning close contests into decisive victories. In addition to his athletic ability, he demonstrated leadership on the mat, guiding formations and tactical shifts mid-match. His combined tally and influence on game outcomes positioned him as the most impactful male player of tournament. The outcomes of the 2025 international tournament mark a significant shift in how the sport is perceived and played globally. With the host nation securing titles in both brackets, the championship set a high competitive standard and established a clear benchmark for future participants. These victories reflect not only individual talent and the success of structured training programs and strategic development on the national level.

Player of the Tournament

Nasreen demonstrated versatility under pressure and tactical maturity beyond her years, earning recognition from peers and analysts alike. The domination of India on the scoreboard was mirrored in the award tally, further reinforcing its stature as a global Kho Kho winner across individual and team categories. India defeated Nepal 54–36 in the final of men after maintaining full control through each phase of the match. The momentary of Nepal resurgence in Turn 2 did not shift the outcome as the offense of India proved too strong. Manmati Dhami tagged Vaishnavi Pawar, and Samjhana B eliminated Priyanka Ingle, but Chaithra B led India’s first batch of Turn 2 into a Dream Run.

Full Kho Kho World Cup 2025 Winners List

His raids were not only prolific in terms of scoring and essential in building pressure on opponents early in each match. Kho Kho world cup winners list in India begins with the 2025 edition and will serve as the base for future championships. Captain Pratik Waikar shone on the mat with multiple sky-dives and with the support of Ramji Kashyap, another star of the tournament. Aditya Ganpule was also at his finest, and the team’s collective effort took the score to entering the final turn of the match — and the tournament. In Turn 2, Nepal were not able to match Team India’s levels but did prevent the side from going on a single Dream Run. Suyash Gargate then kho kho tournament champions touched Bharat Sahu to give India a great start with 10 points in just 4 minutes.

The historic India triumph in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup ignited celebrations across the country. From major cities to small villages, the double victory in both categories was seen as a proud moment for a sport deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the nation. Her raids against Nepal in the final showcased both stamina and tactical finesse, allowing India to secure a decisive lead in the first and third turns.

With clear vision and swift footwork, she forced the opposition to adjust tactics on multiple occasions.
Both divisions delivered perfect records across all rounds, with disciplined execution and standout individual efforts.
Yes, the 2025 edition was the first official international Kho Kho World Cup organised under the International Kho Kho Federation, featuring teams from 23 different countries.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Supreme Court Judge Pankaj Mithal, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju graced the occasion with their presence.
Priyanka led from the front as India won in the women’s category, while Pratik’s side won to complete a double swoop.

Men vs Women Team Results

“I can’t define my happiness as I became the first female captain of the Indian Kho Kho side to win the World Cup. There was hard work, persistence and more than anything the determination to bring the trophy home. My journey as a young girl from Pune to a World Cup-winning captain has seen lots of ups and downs, but I think the sky is the limit for us now,” she told WION. In the final round, the male squad won 54–36, while the female division secured a commanding 78–40 victory over Nepal to claim the championship. The finals of the 2025 edition highlighted how preparation, strategic awareness, and role clarity influence outcomes at the top level. Each adjustment and individual choice played into a larger tactical framework, demonstrating the depth of planning and discipline brought by coaching staff and athletes alike.

India emerged victorious in the first-ever Men’s Kho Kho World Cup, defeating Nepal in the thrilling final.
Though Nepal narrowed the gap in Turn 2, India responded with an assertive 28-point burst in Turn 3, creating an insurmountable 54–18 lead.
His dual role as a lead raider and effective communicator enabled seamless coordination within the Indian team.
Sumitra Mahajan, Supreme Court Judge Shri Pankaj Mithal, and Hon’ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju graced the occasion with their presence.
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) is dedicated to promoting and advancing the traditional sport of Kho Kho nationwide, fostering talent from the grassroots level to the professional stage.
From opening matches to the final, Nasreen consistently delivered high-impact raids that not only added to the scoreline and shifted match momentum.

Final Match Summary

Before this, kho kho existed primarily as a regional and national sport without any global championship. The launch of this tournament officially established Kho Kho as an internationally recognised sport under a structured competitive format. History was scripted on Sunday (Jan 19) as India’s men’s and women’s teams won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup beating Nepal in the final in both categories.

The opening trio of defenders for the hosts would force the visitors to run around in circles, eating up more than three minutes of time, courtesy of one pestering Chaithra, to score a Dream Run. Since then, he’s been delivering the latest news and engaging content to keep cricket fans informed and entertained. The Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025 witnessed India clinching the championship in the final against Nepal by 54-36. With clear vision and swift footwork, she forced the opposition to adjust tactics on multiple occasions. Her contribution extended beyond the numbers, she led the rhythm and maintained composure in high-pressure situations. His contribution in the final involved holding critical batches and frustrating the attackers of Nepal during Turn 2, where his timing helped India retain its early advantage.

Punam, Nisha, and Manmati of Nepal were tasked with slowing down the pace to ensure a shift of momentum. Group Stage PerformanceNepal also competed in Group A alongside India and three other teams, securing victories in three out of their four matches, with their only defeat coming against India. The Indian team was guided by coach Ashwini Sharma who reflected on the historic run in the inaugural edition.

However, the run was cut short as Dipa executed an all-out moments later, bringing her team back into the game. Despite the effort, they managed only 24 points by the end of Turn 2, trailing by 11 points at halftime. But the defenders, once again led by Pratik Waikar and this time Sachin Bhargo proved too strong.

The success of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 marks a significant milestone in the sport’s history, bringing international attention to one of India’s oldest traditional games. The event’s success is expected to inspire countless young athletes across the nation to pursue Kho Kho, contributing to its growth and popularity in the years to come. These margins, especially in the female division, represent a standout achievement in international competition. The coaching units behind both sides contributed significantly to the tactical execution witnessed on the mat. The preparation paid off, especially in the closing phases where control over pace and movement proved vital.

The complete winners list is available in the official tournament records, detailing champions of India, runners-up, and award recipients from the 2025 World Cup. Their respectful engagement with opponents and responsible team behaviour earned admiration from spectators and organisers alike. This victory firmly places India in the Kho Kho world cup winners list India, highlighting the country long-standing excellence and deep-rooted tradition in the sport. Nepal tried to slow the pace in Turn 2, reducing the gap to 35–24, but the offensive tempo of India in Turn 3 widened the margin.

It highlighted the competitive potential of indigenous sports in a modern format, strengthening the case for global expansion. The Men in Blue dominated the final against Nepal with a stellar victory, led by outstanding performances from captain Pratik Waikar and tournament standout Ramji Kashyap. They joined the women’s team, who dominated Nepal in another excellent final, sealing their victory with an emphatic score of 78-40. Each team entered the mat with winning momentum, having cleared the semi-finals against South Africa.