JAMMU: In a breakthrough even for seasoned athletes, India's women's ice hockey team has claimed its first-ever medal-a bronze-at the 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Cup, held in Al Ain, UAE from May 31 to June 6.

The victory marks a turning point for a team that has faced minimal resources, limited funding, and near-total obscurity.

Despite lacking adequate gear and institutional backing, the players demonstrated extraordinary grit and unity, defeating the UAE 5-4 in a dramatic semifinal and ultimately clinching third place after competing against five other Asian teams. Their journey not only highlighted their sporting prowess but also challenged long-held stereotypes about Indian women in professional sports.

This triumph comes barely a decade after the team's inception in 2016, making their ascent from last place in early challenge cups to podium finishers in a major continental event even more remarkable .

A Win Forged Outside the Limelight

Hailing from regions as varied as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi, the players have honed their skills on makeshift rinks, relying on personal funds and Mars in-kind support to train. They faced logistical hurdles-from lack of full skating kits to limited access to ice time-yet persevered through sheer determination.

Captained by Tsewang Chuskit, the team has rewritten narratives about Indian sportswomen: "We didn't just play-we believed we could win," she told reporters after the final whistle.

A Moment of Global Recognition

Their achievement has resonated beyond sports arenas, drawing admiration for its symbolic value: overcoming infrastructural deficits, gender bias, and scarcity to stand on the podium. Fans and critics alike are hopeful this victory may catalyze institutional change and increased attention to women's winter sports in India.