India’s Men’s Water Polo team suffered a 19–11 defeat against Thailand on the second day of the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships 2025, held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
Despite a spirited effort and moments of competitive play in the opening quarter, Thailand’s superior finishing and control in the middle phases of the match proved decisive. The day also featured action in Artistic Swimming, where Uzbekistan’s Khadicha Agzamova and Sabina Makhmudova captured gold in the Duet Technical, while Thailand’s Kantinan Adisaisiributr and Pongpimporn Pongsuwan topped the Mixed Duet Technical standings, marking a strong day for the Southeast Asian nation across aquatic disciplines.
Water Polo: Thailand Outclasses India in Group B Clash
In the Men’s Group B encounter, Thailand asserted early dominance after a balanced opening quarter. India’s defensive shape initially held firm, but Thailand’s relentless attacking rotation began to find gaps in the second period. Once they established a two-goal cushion, the visitors maintained momentum through to the final whistle, winning 19–11.
Captain Chompoosang Pattanit was outstanding for Thailand, scoring five goals and dictating play from the central position. He was supported by Ekchaona Watcharawarong, who added three goals, while Kaewmanee Suteenan, Paedpeenong Jiramate, Maneejoun Phatsakorn, Komkai Tanakorn, and Chaniyom Phongsathon each scored two. Sangthanapanich Phuriphong chipped in with one goal to complete Thailand’s tally.
For India, Uday Uttekar stood out as the top scorer with four goals, showing strong individual skill and accuracy on counterattacks. Gaurav Sudhir and Bhagesh Jagdish added two goals each, while captain Ananthu Gireesh Subhadevi, Ashwinikumar Kunde, and Ankit Prasad registered one apiece.
India’s early rhythm was promising they matched Thailand goal-for-goal through the first quarter. However, the team struggled to contain Thailand’s dynamic movements in the second and third quarters, where defensive lapses allowed multiple goals from close range. Despite some resilience in the final period, the deficit proved too wide to bridge.
The result puts Thailand in a strong position in Group B, while India will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture. Coach Uday Uttekar’s attacking form offers a positive takeaway, but defensive organization and communication remain areas for improvement.
Women’s Water Polo: Japan and China Dominate Group Stage
Elsewhere, the women’s matches brought contrasting displays of dominance. Japan overpowered Uzbekistan 27–13 in a high-scoring Group A encounter. Kobayashi Maho led the way with five goals, while captain Fukuda Shoka and Shironoshita Kaho netted four apiece. Contributions from Eguchi Seira (3), Shibata Kanade, Yamada Karin, Lowrkey Nina, Sobajima Sakura, and Sanda Yumeka (2 each), along with a final goal from Bando Riko, rounded off a clinical team effort. For Uzbekistan, Gavashelashvili Elena top-scored with four, while Fomicheva Polina, Khusniyabonu Abdullaev, and Andriyakhina Sofiya struck twice each. Captain Yusupova Khilola, Mtazaeva Komila, and Talina Sofiya chipped in with single goals.
In Group B, China recorded one of the most lopsided wins of the tournament so far, demolishing Hong Kong 28–2. Guo Chenghong scored seven goals, while Shi Jingjiarong added five. Zhang Qishuo, Hav Wen, and Liu Yan each contributed three goals, reflecting the team’s remarkable attacking depth. Li Linyun and Zhu Yajing added two apiece, and Li Peiyang, Wang Xin, and Li Jianyu each scored once. For Hong Kong, Ng Hau Laam and Lau Kwan Ling were the only scorers.
The dominant displays from Japan and China reaffirm their status as the leading forces in Asian women’s water polo, setting up potential high-stakes clashes in the latter stages of the tournament.
Men’s Group B: Kazakhstan and Iran Record Commanding Wins
In other men’s matches, Kazakhstan overcame a strong Japanese challenge to win 14–12 in a tense Group B matchup. Akhmetov Ruslan was the hero for Kazakhstan with four goals, while captain Shonzhigitov Sultan and Shmider Alexey scored three each. Verdesh Yulian (2), Nedokontsev Lgor, and Bobrovskiy Mstislav also found the net once each. Japan, to their credit, kept the game competitive throughout, with captain Ura Enishi, Lowery Jun, and Matsuno Ryosuke all netting three goals apiece. Moriya Yuki (2) and Yamamoto Ryotaro (1) completed Japan’s scoring.
Meanwhile, Iran continued their impressive run, defeating Hong Kong 22–10 to consolidate their position in Group B. Shams Arman led the scoring with four goals, while Mehrikohneshahri Alireza and Adham Mersad added three each. Contributions from Aghaei Karim Omid, Jalilpour Mirreza, and Sadrnia Seyederfan (two each) reflected Iran’s balanced offensive approach. Behzadsabouri Farbood, Iranpourtari Ashkan, captain Yazdankhah Mehndi, Ghavidelhajiagha Amin, and Borghei Farbod chipped in with a goal apiece.
Hong Kong’s captain Cheng Hei Man and Cheng Hei Chun scored three goals each, while Ching Tsz Shun, Choi Hin Kit, and Chan Leong Medwin added one goal each in a losing effort.
Artistic Swimming: Uzbekistan and Thailand Share Golds
In Artistic Swimming, the duet events brought flair and precision to the pool. In the Duet Technical, Uzbekistan’s Khadicha Agzamova and Sabina Makhmudova clinched gold with a score of 240.5808, ahead of China’s pair Siyi Chen and Yutong Jiang (233.8316). Another Chinese duo, Ziruo Yang and Ziruo Yang, completed the podium with 217.7400 points. Thailand dominated the Mixed Duet Technical, where Kantinan Adisaisiributr and Pongpimporn Pongsuwan won gold with 187.7383, followed by Kazakhstan’s Eduard Kim and Karina Magrupova (180.2450) and Yasmina Islamova and Aldiyar Ramazanov (176.5642).
In the Team Free event, Kazakhstan maintained its stronghold with a gold-winning score of 267.0639, while Thailand (187.3013) and Uzbekistan (180.9401) secured silver and bronze respectively.
As the Asian Aquatics Championships 2025 continues, India’s water polo teams will aim to tighten their defense and capitalize on attacking opportunities in the remaining fixtures. For the artistic swimmers, the performances from Central and Southeast Asian nations underscore the growing competition across Asia.
For the host nation, the energy inside the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex has been encouraging and with several days of competition left, India will look to build on moments of promise as the Championships progress.
