Himachal’s Daughters Lead India to Kabaddi Gold
The joy in Himachal Pradesh was impossible to miss as India’s women’s kabaddi team clinched gold at the 2026 Asian Games, defeating Iran 37-34 in a thrilling final. For Sirmaur district and the state as a whole, the victory was more than a sporting achievement, it was a story of determination, pride and homegrown talent shining on Asia’s biggest stage.
At the heart of the triumph was Pushpa Rana, the captain from Shillai in Sirmaur district. The night before the final, she spoke confidently with her parents, discussing strategy and assuring them that she would return with a gold medal. Less than 24 hours later, she fulfilled that promise.
Her father, Jai Pal Rana, a state-level kabaddi player and JBT teacher, recalled her confidence ahead of the match. Her mother, Champa Devi, said she was overwhelmed with emotion when India secured victory, bringing tears of joy to the family and the entire community.
Sirmaur Continues Its Golden Legacy
Pushpa’s success adds another proud chapter to Sirmaur’s remarkable connection with women’s kabaddi. In 2022, Ritu Negi captained India to Asian Games gold in Hangzhou. Four years later, Pushpa carried that legacy forward by leading the national side to another title.
Despite recovering from injury, Ritu remained part of the 2026 squad, highlighting the district’s continued contribution to Indian kabaddi. Industries Minister and Shillai MLA Harshwardhan Chauhan described the achievement as a matter of immense pride for both Sirmaur and Himachal Pradesh, saying it would inspire countless young girls to pursue sports at the highest level.
Solan’s Jyoti Thakur Adds to the Celebration
The celebrations extended beyond Sirmaur to Solan district, where Jyoti Thakur played a key role in India’s gold medal-winning campaign. Hailing from the small village of Jakhed in Kandaghat subdivision, Jyoti earned her second consecutive Asian Games gold medal after also being part of the victorious 2022 squad.
Born into a kabaddi-loving family, Jyoti inherited her passion for the sport from her father, Suresh Thakur, a former kabaddi player. Her two elder sisters are also kabaddi players and now serve in the Forest Department.
Family members gathered around the television to watch the final, cheering every move as India edged past Iran. For her father, the victory was a testament to years of dedication, beginning when Jyoti first picked up the sport at the age of four.
Inspiring the Next Generation
India reached the final after an unbeaten run, defeating Bangladesh, Iran and Japan in the group stage before overcoming Nepal in the semi-final. The gold medal victory not only reaffirmed India’s dominance in women’s kabaddi but also highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s growing reputation as a nursery of sporting talent.
For young girls across the state’s villages and towns, the journeys of Pushpa Rana, Ritu Negi and Jyoti Thakur serve as powerful reminders that dreams nurtured on local playgrounds can one day bring glory to the nation. As celebrations continue across Shillai, Sirmaur and Solan, Himachal proudly salutes its daughters who once again placed India at the top of the Asian Games podium.
