The 15-member Odisha girls team won five matches in a row to reach the final. Placed in Group B, they trounced Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to enter pre-quarterfinals, where they also registered an easy win against Gujarat.

In fact, the prolonged reign of Maharashtra ended this year as their boys team settled for the silver medal after losing to new champions Karnataka in the final 30-35. But Odisha boys, the silver medalists of the previous edition, failed to win any medal this time.

Odisha girls faced stiff fights in the quarterfinal and semifinal against Karnataka and Kolhapur respectively. But showing determination and grit they prevailed over Kanataka 30-28 and Kolhapur 28-26. Odisha captain Archana Pradhan played an instrumental role in the defence and she was rightly awarded as the best defender of the championship.    

ODISHA TEAMS:

GIRLS (15): Archana Pradhan, Truptirekha Barik, Debasmita Das, Subhalaxmi Nathsharma, Subhashini Nath, Subhashree Mallick, Lisarani Raita, Raktima Bhanda, K Menaka, K Ramya, Ashika Kujur, Kadambini Mahanta, Chandini Jal, Chinmayee Pradhan Tulasi Nayak. Coach: Kinjal Bhagela, Manager: Pritipragnya Dalai, Physio: Meghna Swain.

BOYS (15): Kuna Behera, Samir Xalxo, Aditya Das, Ramlal Birua, Sunil Naik, Saurav Nayak, Shaktiman Behera, Sumit Sahoo, Bijay Kumar Mandu, Budhiram Majhi, Subhankar Pradhan, Raghu Swayam, T Nabin, Dhana Khula, Ranjan Pradhan. Coach: Anil Laxman Ganjave, Manager: Ghasiram Majhi, Physio: Nayan Behera.
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TOP: Players and support staff of Odisha girls team pose with their runners-up trophy and medals at the 44th Junior National Kho-Kho Championship in Gunjur on 4 January 2026.

RIGHT: Odisha girls team captain Archana Pradhan receives the best defender trophy at the 44th Junior National Kho-Kho Championship in Gunjur on 4 January 2026.