Host Nation India Opens 20th Asian Women’s Handball Championship with Victory Against Hong Kong
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New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The Indian women’s handball squad made an impressive entrance to the 20th Asian Women’s Handball Championship (AWHC) 2024 by securing a 31-28 victory against Hong Kong-China at the Indira Gandhi Arena on Tuesday. The triumph was driven by exceptional play from Bhawana Sharma and Menika, who were key in clinching the hosts' first win in the tournament.
In their opening match, India quickly established a lead with contributions from Priyanka Thakur and Menika. The team's strong defense, led by captain Diksha Kumari, was crucial, as she successfully blocked three penalty attempts in the first half, allowing India to enter halftime with a comfortable 16-10 advantage.
Following the break, Hong Kong-CHN intensified their efforts, implementing a more aggressive strategy to maximize their offensive plays. However, India maintained a solid defense and capitalized on counter-attacking opportunities with lethal precision, ensuring they kept their rivals at bay. India ultimately wrapped up the match elegantly, with Bhawana adding to her accolades, receiving the Player of the Match award alongside her previous Best Player distinction from the Junior Championships.
In other matches on the opening day, Kazakhstan surprised China with a 28-26 win, thanks to goalkeeper Zhannat Aitenova's outstanding performance. Japan convincingly defeated Iran 34-14, while South Korea showcased dominance over Singapore, finishing 47-5, with Jiyeon Jeon earning Player of the Match honors.
India aims to build on this victory as they prepare to face Iran in their next encounter on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Hong Kong-CHN will take on Japan, China is set to compete against Singapore, and Kazakhstan will challenge South Korea.
This year's AWHC, held for the first time in India, is organized by the Asian Handball Federation in partnership with the World Handball League (WHL).
