Moqi:13/9/26:India completed a golden double at the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, the People's Republic of China, on Sunday, with the women beating hosts 1-0 and the men defeating the Republic of Korea 4-1 to successfully defend their respective continental titles.
The women, led by midfielder Khaidem Shileima Chanu, completed a hat-trick of Hockey Junior Asia Cup titles, while Anmol Ekka's men secured a record-extending sixth crown and their fourth in succession. Both teams also qualified for their respective FIH Junior World Cup competitions next year.
Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the only goal of the women's final in the 17th minute, getting her stick to a long ball into the circle and deflecting it past Chinese goalkeeper Xu Mengjiao.
China had an equaliser ruled out from the only penalty corner of the match after the ball entered the goal above the permitted height. India protected their slender advantage through the second half to complete the 1-0 victory.
The Indian men were more comfortable in their final, establishing a 3-0 lead against South Korea by half-time.
Ajeet Yadav opened the scoring in the ninth minute before captain Anmol converted a penalty corner four minutes later. Prabhdeep Singh added the third in the 21st minute, and Ashu Maurya made it 4-0 in the 50th. Korean captain Lee Minhyeok converted a penalty stroke four minutes later for the final goal of the contest.
The title was India's sixth in the men's Junior Asia Cup following previous triumphs in 2004, 2008, 2015, 2023 and 2024.
The Indian women went through the tournament unbeaten in their first Junior Asia Cup under newly appointed coach Tim White, who assumed charge earlier this year.
They opened with a 4-1 victory over South Korea before routing Malaysia 11-1 and Japan 7-0. A goalless draw against China saw India finish top of the pool with three wins and a draw.
India then recorded a 19-0 victory over Pakistan in the quarter-finals, scoring five goals in each of the opening two quarters, three in the third and another six in the fourth. Pooja Malik scored a hat-trick, while Pakistan did not register a goal, penalty corner or penalty stroke.
Drag-flicker Supriya then scored a hat-trick from penalty corners in India's 5-1 semi-final victory over South Korea before Sanika's strike against China secured a third successive title.
Sanika finished the tournament as the joint-highest scorer with seven goals.
The men's team, playing their first Junior Asia Cup under newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez, were also unbeaten throughout their title defence.
India began with a 14-0 win over Indonesia, with Prabhdeep scoring five and Anmol four, before captain Anmol Ekka struck in the final minute to rescue a 3-3 draw against Japan. They then beat South Korea 7-3 and Chinese Taipei 15-0 to top their pool.
Malaysia provided the opposition in the semi-finals, where Anmol scored twice from penalty corners and goalkeeper Vivek Lakra saved a penalty stroke in a 3-1 Indian victory.
Anmol Ekka was the most prolific scorer of the hockey tournament with 17 goals. He scored four against Indonesia, two against Japan, two against South Korea, six against Chinese Taipei, two against Malaysia and one in the final.
