When Sandhyarani Tudu sprinted across the try line at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) 2025 in Hangzhou, she didn’t just score points she marked a turning point for Indian women’s rugby.
As India’s top scorer with 24 points in their debut at this elite competition, the 21-year-old from Odisha became a symbol of how grassroots development, institutional support, and sheer determination can converge to produce a breakthrough moment in Indian sport. Tudu’s journey is both inspiring and instructive. Raised in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, she trained under coaches Manas Kumar Jena and Sanjukta Munda at the Future Star Sports Academy.
Her rise from a small-town program to the global stage underscores the effectiveness of decentralized talent identification a model that ensures young athletes from rural areas are not overlooked in favor of urban centers. By the time she broke into the national team, Tudu had already established herself as one of Odisha’s most reliable performers. She played a leading role in the state’s gold medal win at the 38th National Games in Dehradun (2025), repeated the feat at the 11th Senior Women’s National Rugby Sevens Championship (2024), and collected medals consistently across junior and senior levels.
Her résumé at home was a precursor to her impact abroad.
Making History at the ARESS
In Hangzhou, India arrived as underdogs, seeded 10th in the competition. They stunned many by finishing 6th, leapfrogging four places in the standings. Tudu’s scoring haul included four tries and two conversions numbers that were not just statistical highlights but decisive contributions in India’s two victories. Her try against the Philippines secured India’s first-ever win at this level, while her conversions proved crucial in a nerve-wracking extra-time triumph over the UAE. For a team making its top-tier debut, these moments carried immense weight.
Yet, as with many sporting breakthroughs, narratives around “first-ever” achievements need nuance. While Tudu was indeed the first Indian to score a try in the ARESS, other players like Sweety Kumari had blazed trails earlier by scoring multiple tries in continental tournaments. Similarly, while Tudu’s two conversions were notable, historical records show precedents in Indian rugby. The true significance lies not in whether her feats were absolute firsts, but in the fact that they came at the highest competitive tier Indian rugby has ever reached.
A Team Effort, A National Statement
India’s performance in Hangzhou was far from a one-woman show. Losses to Hong Kong and Thailand exposed the learning curve ahead, but wins over the Philippines and UAE and a close battle with Kazakhstan proved the team could compete with seasoned sides.
Head coach Paul Delport called the debut “extremely encouraging,” while IRFU president Rahul Bose described it as “a statement about the quality and potential of Indian women’s rugby.” Their words reflect a broader truth: this was more than a good weekend. It was validation of years of patient groundwork, and a signal that India’s women’s team is ready to step into rugby’s global conversation.
Odisha: The Cradle of Indian Rugby
The roots of Tudu’s success and indeed of much of India’s women’s rugby strength lie in Odisha. The state has become synonymous with rugby excellence, largely thanks to the pioneering work of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and its sister institution, KIIT. KISS has created a “cradle-to-career” ecosystem, offering free education, housing, and elite training to tribal and underprivileged youth. With over 5,000 athletes in its system and 66 rugby internationals produced, it is no exaggeration to call KISS the engine room of Indian rugby.
Add to this the Odisha government’s policy of offering secure jobs to international-level players, and a sustainable pipeline emerges one that gives families confidence that sport can be a viable career.
Despite these gains, Indian women’s rugby faces systemic hurdles. Infrastructure remains patchy, players often juggle jobs with training, and professional medical and sports science support is limited. Social stigma and gender biases continue to weigh on athletes. These are not problems unique to India, but they are hurdles that must be overcome for the sport to fully thrive. The introduction of professional structures like the Rugby Premier League offers hope. If implemented effectively, such initiatives can provide career clarity, financial stability, and regular competition at a higher level all essential to sustain momentum.
Historic Debut: India Women’s Rugby Sevens Team Secures Top-6 Finish at Asia Rugby Sevens Series
Sandhyarani Tudu’s story is more than an individual triumph. It is the story of Odisha’s investment in grassroots sports, the resilience of Indian women athletes, and the possibility of rugby becoming a mainstream sport in India. Her tries in Hangzhou will be remembered not only for their immediate impact, but for what they represent the breaking of barriers, the validation of a system, and the beginning of a new chapter. As India prepares for the next leg of the ARESS in Colombo, all eyes will be on Tudu and her teammates. For them, the journey has only just begun.
And for Indian rugby, the message is clear: the world is starting to take notice.
