Bichu Devi Karibam shortlisted for FIH Magic Skill Award for World Cup saves
Synopsis
Goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam's last-minute double save against England — the kind that keeps World Cup campaigns alive — has earned her a global spotlight. Her nomination for the FIH Poligras Magic Skill Award puts an Indian woman's reflexes on the same shortlist as goals from Belgium and Germany, and underscores how India's fifth-place finish was built as much on goalkeeping grit as on outfield flair.
Key Takeaways
Bichu Devi Karibam has been shortlisted for the FIH Poligras Magic Skill Award for last-minute saves against England at the Hockey World Cup.
The award covers both men's and women's sections of the FIH Hockey World Cup held in Belgium and the Netherlands .
Women's shortlist also includes Judith Vandermeiren (Belgium) and Yani Zhong (Germany).
Men's nominees are Abdul Rehman (Pakistan), Eliot Curty (France), and Kenton Melville (South Africa).
India finished fifth in the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup — their best result in recent times, with Bichu Devi playing a key role.
Fans can vote for the winner on the FIH's official website .
Indian women's hockey team goalkeeper Bichu Devi Karibam has been shortlisted for the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for a pair of stunning last-minute saves she produced against England during the recently concluded FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. The fan-voted award celebrates the most technically brilliant and memorable moments from hockey's biggest stage.
The Saves That Caught the World's Attention
Bichu Devi's heroics came in the dying moments of India's match against England, with her back-to-back saves proving decisive in keeping the side's World Cup campaign alive. Her performance was instrumental in India finishing fifth in the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup — the team's best result in recent history.
Who Else Is on the Women's Shortlist
Bichu Devi faces stiff competition in the women's category. Also shortlisted are Judith Vandermeiren of Belgium for a magical goal against Germany, and Yani Zhong of Germany for a piece of brilliant dribbling that set up a fine goal. Each nominee represents a standout moment of individual skill from the tournament.
Men's Category Nominees
In the men's section, the shortlist features Abdul Rehman of Pakistan for his 3D skill execution, Eliot Curty of France for converting from an almost impossible angle, and Kenton Melville of South Africa for a composed no-look goal. The three nominees reflect the breadth of attacking creativity on display at the tournament.
How to Vote and What the Award Stands For
'From breathtaking individual skill and spectacular goals to dramatic finishes and outstanding saves, the tournament delivered countless moments of magic on hockey's biggest stage. Now, fans around the world have the chance to relive the very best moments and vote for their favourite Magical Skill from the World Cup,' the FIH said in a release on Friday.
Fans can cast their votes on the FIH's official website. The award, backed by Poligras, honours innovation and technical excellence in the sport and is designed to spotlight performances that push the boundaries of hockey skill. If Bichu Devi wins, it would mark a significant moment of global recognition for Indian women's hockey at the elite level.
Point of View
Repeatedly, by a goalkeeper from Manipur making saves that now compete for global recognition. The FIH shortlist puts her alongside European stars in a category that fans decide, which means visibility and momentum for Indian women's hockey at a time when the sport needs both. The real question is whether this recognition translates into structural investment in goalkeeping development back home, or remains an isolated moment of individual glory.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Bichu Devi Karibam been shortlisted for the FIH Magic Skill Award?
Bichu Devi Karibam has been shortlisted for the FIH Poligras Magic Skill Award for two brilliant last-minute saves she made against England during the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. The saves were widely regarded as decisive in India's campaign and are now up for a fan vote on the FIH's official website.
What is the FIH Poligras Magic Skill Award?
The Poligras Magic Skill Award is a fan-voted honour given by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to celebrate the most technically brilliant and memorable individual moments from the FIH Hockey World Cup. It covers both the men's and women's sections of the tournament.
Who are the other nominees in the women's category?
Alongside Bichu Devi, the women's shortlist includes Judith Vandermeiren of Belgium for a goal against Germany, and Yani Zhong of Germany for a dribbling sequence that created a goal. Fans vote to decide the winner.
How did India perform at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup?
India finished fifth at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup held in Belgium and the Netherlands — their best performance in recent times. Bichu Devi Karibam played a key role in the team's run, particularly with her saves in the match against England.
How can fans vote for the FIH Magic Skill Award?
Fans can cast their votes for the Poligras Magic Skill Award on the International Hockey Federation's official website. The award celebrates extraordinary creativity, flair, and technical brilliance from the World Cup.
