India Secures Sixth Place at Asian Women’s Handball Championship; Japan Triumphs Over South Korea
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New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Indian handball squad finished in sixth place at the Asian Women’s Handball Championship (AWHC) 2024, achieving a milestone that matches the nation’s best-ever outcome in this competition, while Japan achieved a stunning victory over the reigning champions South Korea to secure the championship title on Tuesday. The Indian team put forth a valiant effort against the powerful and ten-time silver medalists China in the playoff for 5th and 6th positions, coming close in a 41-30 loss.
Japan managed to triumph over the record-holding champions South Korea in an exhilarating final, turning around a 12-9 half-time deficit to finish at 25-24. This victory marks Japan's second championship title, halting South Korea’s streak of seven consecutive championship wins.
On the same day, the Indian team put up a commendable fight against China, beginning the match with enthusiasm that led to a fierce contest for territorial control. However, as the match progressed, China utilized their vast experience at this level to create a slight lead, eventually securing the win. Nevertheless, Team India’s Menika expressed optimism about the team's performance throughout the tournament.
“This was the first instance of India hosting the event. Our experience competing in front of our fans was quite positive. However, our goal was to win a medal this time, and we fell short of that expectation. We will learn from our experiences and look forward to future opportunities,” stated Menika, one of the standout players for India during the tournament.
Throughout the competition, India demonstrated grit and resilience, showcasing strengths in both offensive and defensive play, notably highlighted by impressive performances from young talent Bhawana Sharma and veteran goalkeeper Nina Shil. Looking ahead, Menika sees promising prospects for Indian handball, especially with the upcoming World Handball League (WHL).
“The WHL represents a tremendous opportunity for us, particularly for female players. Last year, we observed the men’s league from the sidelines, hoping for a comparable women’s league to emerge—an equal platform. Therefore, in my view, and that of my teammates, this is a significant opportunity that we aim to fully capitalize on,” Menika articulated.
Earlier that day, Kazakhstan clinched their second bronze medal in the tournament, triumphing 28-22 over Iran in the third-place match. Meanwhile, Hong Kong-CHN secured a seventh-place finish, defeating Singapore 33-18. Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Iran have all qualified for the IHF World Women’s Handball Championship 2025 scheduled to take place in Germany and the Netherlands.
