India Achieves Best-Ever Sixth Place Finish; Japan Beats South Korea to Win Asian Women’s Handball Championship 2024

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India’s women’s handball team secured a sixth-place finish at the Asian Women’s Handball Championship 2024, held from December 3 to 10 in New Delhi. This achievement matched India’s highest-ever ranking in the tournament’s history, showcasing significant progress in a sport dominated by traditional powerhouses.

The AWHC tournament, organised by the Asian Handball Federation and presented by the World Handball League (WHL), marked India’s debut as hosts at the Indira Gandhi Arena.

In their final match, India faced China in the 5th/6th place playoff. Despite a spirited start, the Indian team fell 41-30 to the ten-time silver medallists. Early exchanges in the game were closely contested, with India displaying strong zonal play.

However, China’s experience at this level proved decisive as they pulled away in the latter stages. Reflecting on the tournament, Indian standout Menika expressed mixed emotions about the campaign.

“This was the first time India hosted the event, and playing in front of our fans was a great experience,” Menika Thakur said. “However, our target was a medal, and we fell short of those expectations. We’ll learn from our mistakes and come back stronger.”

Japan Stuns South Korea to Win the Championship

The championship culminated in a thrilling final where Japan defeated South Korea 25-24, overturning a 12-9 half-time deficit. This victory marked Japan’s second title in the tournament’s history, ending South Korea’s dominance of seven consecutive championships.

South Korea remains the most successful team in the tournament’s history, but Japan’s resilience under pressure was a defining moment.

Earlier, Kazakhstan claimed their second bronze medal by defeating Iran 28-22 in the third-place playoff, while Hong Kong-CHN secured seventh place by besting Singapore 33-18.

Positives for India and Future Prospects

India’s campaign was marked by standout performances from Bhawana Sharma and goalkeeper Nina Shil, both of whom were instrumental in the team’s attacking and defensive setups. The team’s progress reflects a promising future for Indian women’s handball.

Menika emphasised the significance of the upcoming World Handball League (WHL) for women, calling it a game-changer for the sport. “Last year, we watched the men’s league and hoped for a similar opportunity for women,” she said. “This is a massive step forward, and we’re excited to make the most of it.”

With Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Iran qualifying for the IHF World Women’s Handball Championship 2025, India will now look to build on this momentum and compete for greater honours in the international arena.