Defending champions Railway Sports Promotion Board and Maharashtra clinched titles in the men’s and women’s categories at the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship held in Kazipet, Telangana, from January 11-15, 2026. Railways secured their second consecutive men’s title while Maharashtra captured an unprecedented fifth straight women’s championship, cementing their dominance in India’s traditional sport.

Both finals delivered edge-of-the-seat drama with Maharashtra narrowly defeating Odisha 23-22 in the women’s category, while Railways triumphed over Maharashtra 26-21 in the men’s final after several nail-biting moments.

Women’s Final: Maharashtra’s Narrow Escape

Maharashtra’s defensive prowess proved decisive in the women’s final. Sandhya Survase anchored the defense with an impressive 2:30 minutes on the mat, while Kho Kho World Cup Captain Priyanka Ingle contributed 2:00 minutes defensively and dominated offensively with 10 attack points.

Odisha’s Archana Pradhan showcased excellent defensive maneuvers, nearly closing the one-point gap that separated the teams. The 23-22 scoreline reflected how evenly matched both sides were, with Maharashtra’s experience in high-pressure situations making the critical difference.

Category	Winner	Runner-Up	Score	Bronze
Women	Maharashtra (5th consecutive)	Odisha	23-22	AAI
Men	Railways (2nd consecutive)	Maharashtra	26-21	Kolhapur

Men’s Final: Railways’ Clinical Performance

The men’s final saw Railways overcome Maharashtra despite strong resistance from defender Pratik Waikar, who held the mat for 1:55 minutes. Railways’ Abhinandan Patil delivered an outstanding attacking display that ultimately sealed the 26-21 victory, demonstrating the tactical balance between defense and attack that defines championship-level Kho Kho.

Interestingly, both Odisha and Maharashtra won silver medals in opposite categories for the second consecutive year, highlighting the consistent quality of these teams across national competitions.

Individual Excellence Recognized

The championship concluded with several individual honors recognizing standout performances. Pratik Waikar of Maharashtra earned Best Defender in the men’s category, while Odisha’s Archana Pradhan claimed the women’s defensive award. Abhinandan Patil of Railways was adjudged Best Attacker (Men), with Priyanka Ingle of Maharashtra winning the women’s attacking honor.

The prestigious Ekalavya Award went to Ramji Kashyap of Indian Railways, while Sandhya Survase of Odisha received the Rani Laxmi Award. Both were also honored as Best All-Rounders in their respective categories, recognizing their complete performances throughout the tournament.

Growing Stature of Modern Kho Kho

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India, praised the championship’s organization and highlighted how Kho Kho as a modern sport offers high-voltage entertainment. Upkar Singh Virk, KKFI General Secretary, noted that the dynamic participation from states, union territories, and institutions made the event truly representative of India’s sporting landscape.

Telangana Kho Kho Association President Janga Raghava Reddy expressed pride in hosting the championship, calling it a monumental effort that showcased the sport thriving in the state. The event featured impressive performances from teams nationwide, with Kolhapur securing third place in men’s and Airports Authority of India finishing third in women’s—both repeating their positions from the 57th edition held in Puri, Odisha in 2025.

Championship Legacy Continues

Both champions had also won the 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship held in Puri from March 31 to April 4, 2025, establishing clear dynasties in their respective categories. Maharashtra’s five consecutive women’s titles represent an extraordinary achievement in Indian sports, while Railways’ back-to-back men’s victories demonstrate institutional excellence in athlete development.

The championship’s success in Telangana sets a new benchmark for senior nationals, with healthy participation and electrifying matches reflecting Kho Kho’s growing popularity across India.

For more updates on Indian sports and national championships, visit TechnoSports. Learn more about Kho Kho Federation of India on their official website.