In the category of men, Bangladesh was recognised for its sportsmanlike conduct, clean play, and composure in high-stakes matches. Despite not reaching the finals, the team upheld the values of integrity and fair engagement throughout the tournament. India dominated the inaugural global edition of the event with victories in both categories. Below is the complete Kho Kho winners list from the 2025 tournament held in New Delhi. 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.

Kho Kho World Cup: Indian men’s team crowned champion

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. 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. With a 73–24 lead heading into the final phase, India confidently closed out the match at 78–40. Their efforts would not put them on top but would yield them benefits as Nepal ran out three batches of defenders to reduce the lead as the scoreboard read at the end of Turn 2. Since then, the hosts have maintained their unbeaten streak and punched their ticket into the final after putting away a fiery South African side in the semi-final.

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. The tournament maintained a format where top four squads from each group qualified for the quarter-finals, followed by semi-finals and the final. With 81 total matches played, the outcomes brought clarity to the hierarchy among participating nations. The Kho Kho result from each phase displayed a rising standard of athleticism and global reach.

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. But the defenders, kho kho championship results once again led by Pratik Waikar and this time Sachin Bhargo — fondly known as Chingari — proved too strong. Mehul and Suman Barman were equally impressive, and this sealed a much-deserved trophy for Team India as the score read at the end of the final. 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. Yes, both divisions from the host country remained unbeaten throughout the event and won their respective final matches against Nepal with clear margins.

The momentary of Nepal resurgence in Turn 2 did not shift the outcome as the offense of India proved too strong. 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.

The event featured a mix of defensive resilience and attacking precision that defined every moment. The male final was close in the early phase, but the second half showed a shift in pace and control. In the female final, early dominance translated into a wide scoring margin by the end.

• Famous mythological character Abhimanyu and his fighting style of ring-play against 7 opponents are the origin of the sport.
• The recognition of Nasreen as the best performer of the final underscored the importance of individual brilliance in team success.
• In the category of men, Akshay Bhosale was named Player of the Tournament for his extraordinary consistency in both the league and knockout stages.
• 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.
• 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.
• The performances of Indian teams demonstrated that with the right infrastructure and support, traditional games can evolve into international showcases.

Final Match Summary

These victories reflect not only individual talent and the success of structured training programs and strategic development on the national level. The 2025 edition marked the first time an international kho kho tournament was held with a World Cup format under the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF). 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. The kho kho awards winners list indicates that India has a major dominance in the sport. Famous mythological character Abhimanyu and his fighting style of ring-play against 7 opponents are the origin of the sport.

Best Player of the Match

The Kho Kho World Cup results reflect the growing international appeal of this traditional discipline. This article presents verified outcomes, including final scores, point tables, and key matches that shaped the overall standings of the tournament. 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. The success of the inaugural championship confirms the position of India at the forefront of the global kho kho movement. The Indian sides displayed unmatched skill, speed, and discipline, securing historic victories over Nepal in both finals. With this result, India emerged not only as a strong contender but as the undisputed Kho Kho world cup champion, setting a powerful precedent for future editions.

• Each encounter unfolded with intensity and showcased the evolution of the sport at an international level.
• 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.
• 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.
• At the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, supporters cheered with national flags as the trophies were presented, creating an atmosphere of unity and pride.
• Each knockout round was marked by large scoring margins, highlighting the dominance of the hosts in both offense and defence.

Both Indian men’s and women’s teams are leading their respective group tables in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup

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 both units achieved identical success, the performance metrics reveal slightly higher scoring outputs in the female category. Each unit faced Nepal in the final round, establishing a shared continental rivalry that added further significance to the event. The Kho Kho World Cup final results concluded with two decisive victories, reinforcing full control by the host country on the international stage. The victory of India in the 2025 World Cup reshaped the future of kho kho both nationally and internationally. The recognition brought by the championship led to increased interest among youth and sports institutions, prompting several state-level bodies to introduce or expand training programs.

India vs Nepal, Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025 final awards:

Played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the concluding matches featured the host nation and Nepal across both divisions. Each encounter unfolded with intensity and showcased the evolution of the sport at an international level. From the opening whistle, the finals were marked by precise formations, quick transitions, and competitive spirit.

Sponsorship opportunities grew, and media coverage extended beyond the final matches, creating a lasting impression on the sporting landscape. 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. Sweeping success of India in both categories was accompanied by several standout performances, earning top players international acclaim.

India Wins Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025

Nepal, on the other hand, also went on a rampage, dismantling their opponents with ease and effortlessly disposing of Iran to seal their spot in the final showdown. Pratik Waikar and co. edged out the wily Nepal Men’s team in their initial bout of the tournament with a scoreline of 42-37. The two teams touted as the favourites inevitably came knocking on each other’s doors one last time, in a rematch of the tournament opener. But the defenders, once again led by Pratik Waikar and Sachin Bhargo proved too strong. These numbers not only confirmed final wins and revealed the consistent gap maintained by the hosts during decisive phases of play.

Kho Kho World Cup 2025 points table of men’s and women’s division

Her field vision, strategic patience, and awareness of the formation of opposition marked her out as the most complete player of the tournament. The recognition of her performance as Player of the Tournament affirmed her as the rising face of international kho kho. The final stage of the 2025 global tournament delivered high-tempo action, strategic depth, and standout moments from both brackets.

The defensive tactics of Rajput were precise, and his sense of timing made scoring difficult for every opposing raider.

The recognition of Nasreen as the best performer of the final underscored the importance of individual brilliance in team success. It added a personal milestone to what was already a historic moment for the national squad. As the final minutes unfolded, Nasreen continued to apply pressure, converting opportunities with precision.

The men’s and women’s kho kho teams in India have created history at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, on January 19, 2025. They both won the title of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 against Nepal in their respective finals, which is part of the Kho Kho Awards winners list​. On the other hand, where the Indian men’s team defeated Nepal in the title clash, the women’s team triumphed over the Nepalese players by a scoreline, which created a huge difference. From opening matches to the final, Nasreen consistently delivered high-impact raids that not only added to the scoreline and shifted match momentum.

The Indian men’s team beat Nepal in the final to win the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title in New Delhi on Sunday (January 19, 2025). Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. 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. AT mostwinner.com, We are dedicated to providing top-notch latest Award winner, Winners, and game winning tips at every moment. 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.