National Games 2025: Arjun Deshwal powers Uttar Pradesh to clinch gold in men's Kabaddi tournament

Himachal Pradesh won the gold medal in the women’s Kabaddi tournament at the National Games 2025.

Arjun Deshwal’s 19-point performance rocketed Uttar Pradesh to beat Pawan Sehrawat-led Chandigarh in the finals of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. The Raid Machine was relentless from the start in this match, with no shortage of furious exchanges, and UP’s Shubham was issued a green card in the first minute.

After achieving a multipoint raid in his first raid, he made a statement to Pawan Sehrawat in his second raid that he was there for the trophy. Pawan made a strong comeback with two multipoint raids within the first 10 minutes and took the score to 16-9. It was a cat-and-mouse game with UP striking back in the next 10 minutes to lead 25-22 at halftime.

Arjun Deshwal led Uttar Pradesh are the champions of the 38th National Games Men's Kabaddi tournament 🔥#Kabaddi #NationalGames pic.twitter.com/K669t8GrJv

— Khel Kabaddi (@KhelNowKabaddi) February 2, 2025

It was an Arjun Deshwal-show as he led the attack to effect two all-outs in the first five minutes of the second half. Pawan tried his bit along with Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 New Young Player of the Season Ayan Lochab, but Arjun and Vinay Tevathia’s attack was unstoppable as Uttar Pradesh grabbed the Gold Medal for the second time in three seasons.

Himachal Pradesh wins women’s tournament

Earlier in the day, the Women’s Kabaddi final saw a close game with Himachal Pradesh completing their hattrick of Gold medals in the National Games. The defending champions faced Haryana in the final and since both these teams had put up thrilling performances in the league stage, the final was expected to be a close contest. It lived up to the expectations in the 30-minute encounter.

Himachal Pradesh Women's Kabaddi team crowned champions by thrashing Haryana in the 38th National Games🔥🙌#Kabaddi #NationalGames pic.twitter.com/nGjIwegWqJ

— Khel Kabaddi (@KhelNowKabaddi) February 2, 2025

Led by Asian Games Gold Medalist Pushpa Rana, Himachal showed their intentions clear to control the game from the start as they raced to a 3-0 lead. Haryana wanted to pin her down and once that happened they equaled the scores to 5-5. Once Pushpa returned to the mat, she quickly got her act together to get a slender lead, with a scoreline of 10-8 during halftime.

Himachal upped their ante in the second half to strengthen their lead and once they effected an all-out to get a healthy lead, it was down to consolidation as they slowed the game to which Haryana had no answers. HP took the finals 27-22 to complete his third Gold medal in three consecutive games.

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