In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Odisha’s women’s rugby team retained their Senior Women’s National Rugby Sevens title, defeating Bihar 17-5 in the final match held at Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. This victory marks a significant milestone as Odisha completed a rare ‘hat-trick’, having previously secured gold medals at the 2023 National Sevens in Pune and the National Games in Goa. Under the leadership of star international player Hupi Majhi, the defending champions demonstrated their dominance from the onset. They commenced their campaign with resounding victories, thrashing Haryana 55-0 and 66-0 to advance to the pre-quarterfinals from Group A. Odisha’s relentless pursuit continued as they overcame Rajasthan with a staggering 57-0 and defeated Karnataka 36-0 in the quarterfinals.
In the semi-finals, Odisha faced a formidable opponent in hosts Maharashtra but managed to secure a 19-5 victory. The final against Bihar was another testament to their prowess, ending with a 17-5 win and solidifying their status as champions. Tarulata Naik emerged as Odisha’s top scorer with an impressive 62 points, while Hupi Majhi contributed significantly with 45 points Odisha’s rugby teams exhibited exceptional performance across various categories at the Nationals this year. The junior girls’ team initiated the medal-winning spree by securing a silver medal on June 20. This was followed by the junior boys’ team clinching gold, and the senior men’s team winning bronze, showcasing the overall strength and depth of rugby talent in Odisha.
Odisha coach Manas Kumar Jena attributed the team’s success to their high confidence, stemming from previous victories at the National Championship and the National Games. “Our women’s team was high on confidence after winning gold medals at the National Championship and the National Games last year. They were confident to beat any team and that made the difference,” Jena remarked.
Captain Hupi Majhi expressed her gratitude towards the state government, emphasizing the pivotal role of the State Sports & Youth Services Department in their success. “The support of the State Sports & Youth Services Department played an important role in our victory. Earlier we used to struggle to compete in the National championships. We travelled by train and faced lots of difficulties. But this time the Sports Department provided top-class facilities, including training, rehab, diet, and air tickets,’’ Hupi stated.
Odisha’s remarkable achievement in retaining the Senior Women’s National Rugby Sevens title and completing a historic ‘hat-trick’ underscores their dominance in the sport. With strong institutional support and exceptional talent, Odisha’s rugby teams continue to set new benchmarks in national competitions, inspiring future generations of athletes.
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Odisha’s women’s rugby team retained their Senior Women’s National Rugby Sevens title, defeating Bihar 17-5 in the final match held at Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. This victory marks a significant milestone as Odisha completed a rare ‘hat-trick’, having previously secured gold medals at the 2023 National Sevens in Pune and the National Games in Goa. Under the leadership of star international player Hupi Majhi, the defending champions demonstrated their dominance from the onset. They commenced their campaign with resounding victories, thrashing Haryana 55-0 and 66-0 to advance to the pre-quarterfinals from Group A. Odisha’s relentless pursuit continued as they overcame Rajasthan with a staggering 57-0 and defeated Karnataka 36-0 in the quarterfinals.
In the semi-finals, Odisha faced a formidable opponent in hosts Maharashtra but managed to secure a 19-5 victory. The final against Bihar was another testament to their prowess, ending with a 17-5 win and solidifying their status as champions. Tarulata Naik emerged as Odisha’s top scorer with an impressive 62 points, while Hupi Majhi contributed significantly with 45 points Odisha’s rugby teams exhibited exceptional performance across various categories at the Nationals this year. The junior girls’ team initiated the medal-winning spree by securing a silver medal on June 20. This was followed by the junior boys’ team clinching gold, and the senior men’s team winning bronze, showcasing the overall strength and depth of rugby talent in Odisha.
Odisha coach Manas Kumar Jena attributed the team’s success to their high confidence, stemming from previous victories at the National Championship and the National Games. “Our women’s team was high on confidence after winning gold medals at the National Championship and the National Games last year. They were confident to beat any team and that made the difference,” Jena remarked.
Captain Hupi Majhi expressed her gratitude towards the state government, emphasizing the pivotal role of the State Sports & Youth Services Department in their success. “The support of the State Sports & Youth Services Department played an important role in our victory. Earlier we used to struggle to compete in the National championships. We travelled by train and faced lots of difficulties. But this time the Sports Department provided top-class facilities, including training, rehab, diet, and air tickets,’’ Hupi stated.
Odisha’s remarkable achievement in retaining the Senior Women’s National Rugby Sevens title and completing a historic ‘hat-trick’ underscores their dominance in the sport. With strong institutional support and exceptional talent, Odisha’s rugby teams continue to set new benchmarks in national competitions, inspiring future generations of athletes.
