The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup stands as the most prestigious tournament in women’s kabaddi, bringing together top nations from across the globe to compete for ultimate glory. Much like the men’s event, this tournament represents the highest level of competition in the sport, where skill, strength, strategy, and mental toughness are tested on the biggest stage.
Since its inception, the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup has clearly highlighted one major trend — India’s complete dominance in the competition. With powerful all-round performances and unmatched depth, the Indian women’s team has set a benchmark that other nations are still striving to reach.
Beginning of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup
The Men’s Kabaddi World Cup was first held in 2004 and has seen three editions so far, all of which were won by India. Encouraged by the success and growing popularity of kabaddi, the first Women’s Kabaddi World Cup was organised in 2012.
The inaugural edition was held in Patna, Bihar, and was officially recognised by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF). It was jointly organised by the Government of Bihar and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI). A total of 16 nations participated, marking a major step forward for women’s kabaddi at the international level.
After a long gap of 13 years, the second edition of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup was finally held in 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, making it the first time the tournament was hosted outside India. This edition featured 11 competitive teams, once again showcasing the growth of the women’s game worldwide.
List of Women’s Kabaddi World Cup Winners
| Season | Winner | Runner Up | Host Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2012) | India | Iran | Patna, India |
| 2 (2025) | India | Chinese Taipei | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
India – 2012 (Patna, India)
The Indian women’s kabaddi team etched their name in history by winning the inaugural Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in 2012. Playing on home soil at the Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna, India delivered a flawless performance throughout the tournament.
India dominated the group stage, registering convincing wins against strong teams like South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Mexico. Their supremacy continued in the knockout rounds, where they thrashed Indonesia 66-20 in the quarter-finals.
In the semi-final, India produced another one-sided performance, defeating Japan 59-20 to book their place in the final. The title clash against Iran proved to be the toughest test of the tournament. Despite intense pressure, the Indian team displayed calmness and tactical brilliance to win the final 25-19, lifting the inaugural World Cup trophy and setting the tone for future editions.
India – 2025 (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 witnessed India once again proving why they are considered the powerhouse of the sport. Held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this edition marked a historic moment as it was the first Women’s Kabaddi World Cup hosted outside India.
The Indian team entered the tournament as defending champions and lived up to expectations. They topped their group stage, winning all their matches convincingly. In the semi-finals, India faced a tough challenge from Iran but managed to extend their unbeaten run with a hard-fought victory.
The final saw a high-voltage clash between India and Chinese Taipei, both teams entering the match unbeaten. Chinese Taipei were eager to avenge their narrow one-point loss to India in the Asian Games final. However, the Indian women had other plans.
In a thrilling contest filled with tactical raids and strong defensive efforts, India emerged victorious with a 35-28 win, successfully defending their World Cup title and becoming two-time Women’s Kabaddi World Cup champions.
India’s Undisputed Dominance in Women’s Kabaddi
So far, every edition of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup has been won by India, underlining their unmatched consistency and strength in the sport. When combined with the men’s achievements, India remains the only nation to win every Kabaddi World Cup held to date, whether men’s or women’s.
This dominance reflects not only the depth of talent in Indian kabaddi but also the growing focus on women’s sports development in the country. With each edition, India continues to raise the bar, inspiring the next generation of women kabaddi players.
As the sport continues to expand globally, future editions of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup promise tougher competition — but for now, India remains firmly on top of the world.
