Teams reaching the semifinals in kabaddi at the 20th Asian Games secure at least a bronze medal. On Thursday, the Nepali women’s team did just that, defeating Sri Lanka 34-25 in the group stage. Nepal led in both halves—19-13 and 15-12—to register a comfortable win.

Sri Lanka fought back bravely in the second half, leaning on disciplined defence and well-timed Super Tackles to stem the tide. Yet, every time the pressure mounted, Nepal responded with composure—snatching vital bonus points on the mat and matching Sri Lanka with counter-striking Super Tackles to keep the lead firmly in their hands.

Nepal’s captain Manmati Bist executed a calm and decisive final raid in the dying seconds of the match, crossing back safely with milliseconds remaining to wrap up the victory before the final whistle blew on Sri Lanka’s last attempt.

The final whistle triggered jubilant scenes on the mat at Tokai Citizen Gymnasium, where the Nepali team celebrated a hard-fought semifinal berth that locked up at least a bronze medal.

Nepal women’s kabaddi team, a bronze medallist of the 19th Asian Games, has made sure they will return with a bronze again, but they are hungry for more.

“We are very happy for back-to-back medals in the Asian Games,” Bist told journalists after the win against Sri Lanka. “Every player and staff member has been working very hard for this.”

Bist also praised the government, the National Sports Council and the All Nepal Kabaddi Association for their continuous support to the team.

“We got to train properly for about two years, competing at different international tournaments,” Bist added. “It was because of the international exposure and training we got that we could bounce back against Thailand and reach the semifinals today by defeating Sri Lanka.”

Nepal were trailing 15-24 in the first half against Thailand, before making a comeback in the second half to win the match 46-43. However, they had suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, losing 37-18.

Still, the team seemed confident, unfazed by the loss against Chinese Taipei, when they entered the gymnasium for the decisive match against Sri Lanka.

“We had faced Sri Lanka many times over the years. We knew their players well,” said Parbati Rai, head coach of the women’s team. “I am not underestimating Sri Lanka, but we were confident of winning.”

Rai was also the head coach of the team when Nepal won bronze in the previous edition of the Asian main event in Hangzhou, China. “And to win a medal back-to-back, this means a lot to me as I am at the end of my coaching career,” she added.

Meanwhile, Rai and Bist argued that the win over Sri Lanka and securing a bronze did not end their hunger.

Placed in Group B, Nepal defeated Thailand in the first group-stage fixture on Tuesday while losing to Chinese Taipei (18-37) on Wednesday. They entered the semifinals as the second-placed team of Group B.

According to the tournament format, the top two teams from two groups progress to the semifinals, with the group topper facing the runner-up of the other group. Nepal, as the group runner-up, will face India, Group A’s topper. Similarly, Chinese Taipei, topper of Group B, will face Iran, second-placed team of Group A.

“We still have a match remaining,” Rai said. “And why would we not want to get a bigger medal this time?”

There are six players—Bist, Menuka Kumari Rajbanshi, Jayanti Badu, Rabina Chaudhary, Sirjana Kumari Tharu and Ganga Ghimire—in the current squad who helped Nepal clinch bronze in China.

Despite India, the undisputed world champions of kabaddi, being the opponent in the semis, the Nepali squad is unfazed.

“We know India is a tough opponent,” Bist said. “But we are also not a weak team. The new players have also got sufficient international exposure and training. Winning and losing is a different thing, but we are happy that we are not returning empty-handed.”

The semifinals will take place at Tokai Citizen Gymnasium on Friday, and the final will be held on Saturday. If Nepal win their semifinal match, they will secure silver and compete for the gold. But if they lose, they will have to settle for the bronze.

On the other hand, the Nepal men’s kabaddi team, who were already out of the competition, ended their Asian Games campaign with a 73-52 win over Malaysia. It was their first win in four group-stage fixtures.