Maharashtra Beats Karnataka To Win 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship

Maharashtra clinched the title of champions in the 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 by securing a convincing victory over Karnataka, concluding with a final score of 31-10. This championship, which took place at Balewadi in Pune from September 10 to September 11, 2023, was marked by intense competition and served as a testament to the impressive development of wheelchair rugby in India.

Rugby India’s Grand Initiative

The 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 was organized by The Indian Rugby Football Union (Rugby India), the governing body for rugby in India. It was conducted in association with the Wheelchair Rugby Federation of India and Mitsubishi Corporation. This collaborative effort aimed to promote and expand the sport of wheelchair rugby across the nation.

The championship saw an overwhelming participation of over 120 athletes from different parts of India, making it a truly national event. This massive turnout reflected the growing interest and enthusiasm for wheelchair rugby in the country.

A Landmark Occasion for Wheelchair Rugby in India

The 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 marked a significant milestone for wheelchair rugby in India. With participants from 14 states, it became the largest national wheelchair event ever hosted by Rugby India. The states that took part in this prestigious competition were Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and the host state, Maharashtra.

The Road to Victory

The semi-final matches were packed with excitement. Karnataka and Haryana faced off, with Karnataka securing a narrow 9-7 victory. Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Bihar battled it out, with Maharashtra emerging victorious by a scoreline of 22-13. The final showdown between Maharashtra and Karnataka was a spectacle, with Maharashtra ultimately triumphing with a final score of 31-10. Bihar secured the 3/4th place by defeating Haryana 23-9. The 5th to 8th positions were clinched by Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

State rankings in the 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023:

Position	Team
1st	Maharashtra
2nd	Karnataka
3rd	Bihar
4th	Haryana
5th	Odisha
6th	Chhattisgarh
7th	Rajasthan
8th	Uttar Pradesh

A Day-Long Wheelchair Rugby Workshop and Commitment to Growth

In addition to the thrilling competition, the Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation hosted a day-long wheelchair rugby workshop earlier in the week. Coaches and experts from Japan collaborated with athletes from all participating states during this coaching clinic, providing valuable insights and training that further enriched the experience of the athletes.

The 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 not only showcased the incredible talent and determination of wheelchair rugby players in India but also highlighted the commitment of organizations like Rugby India, the Wheelchair Rugby Federation of India, and Mitsubishi Corporation to the growth and development of this exciting sport on the Indian subcontinent.