The U20 Asian Rugby Championship commenced in Rajgir, Bihar, on Saturday, heralding a two-day sporting spectacle. This event is a landmark for the state, hosting its first international rugby match. The opening day was filled with excitement, particularly for India’s Under-20 teams. The women’s team displayed an outstanding performance in the Asia Rugby Emirates Rugby 7s Under-20 Championship, clinching a spot in the semi-finals. The men’s team also secured a historic victory, triumphing over the UAE at the Under-20 level for the first time.
The women’s team, guided by coach Kiano Fory and captain Bhumika Shukla, demonstrated their prowess, beginning with a hard-fought 17-10 win against Kazakhstan. Guria Kumari, Anshu Kumari, and Alpana Kumari from Bihar each contributed a try, providing a strong foundation for the team.
The team continued their dominance in the afternoon, defeating the UAE with a score of 31-7. Captain Bhumika scored twice, with vice-captain Tanushree Bhosale and teammates Muskan Piploda and Anshu adding to the score. This victory secured their place in the semi-finals before their final pool match against Hong Kong China.
In the men’s category, under the coaching of Paco Hernandez, the team achieved a historic feat by defeating the UAE 24-17. This win marked India’s inaugural victory against the UAE at the Under-20 level and the first instance of scoring against them across five matches, encompassing Under-18 and Under-20 categories. Charan Hembram’s try and conversion initiated the scoring, with Golden Kumar and David Munda also contributing tries. David’s second try ensured India’s victory, despite the UAE’s efforts to make a comeback.
Regrettably, the men’s team could not sustain their performance in the subsequent Pool A matches, losing to Sri Lanka and Hong Kong China with a score of 52-4. Sri Lanka and Hong Kong China emerged as the top teams in Pool A, while China and Malaysia led in Pool B. The Indian Under-20 women’s team will compete in the semi-finals, whereas the men’s team will conclude their campaign against Kazakhstan for the fifth position. All matches are available for live viewing on FanCode and the Asia Rugby YouTube Channel.