Mahak Chauhan Secures Player of the Tournament at CASA Rugby 7s, Putting Uttarakhand on the Global Map
Twenty-year-old Mahak Chauhan from Uttarakhand was named the Women’s Player of the Tournament at the inaugural Central and South Asia (CASA) Rugby 7s Championship in Tashkent. Making her senior international debut, she scored an exceptional nine tries over two days, helping India secure a memorable win over eventual champions Sri Lanka. Her extraordinary success underscores the untapped grassroots sporting potential in India's remote regions and signifies a major leap for the nation's rugby ambitions.
Organized under the Central and South Asia Rugby Alliance framework and sanctioned by both Asia Rugby and World Rugby, the six-nation tournament featured emerging teams from India, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. While the Indian women's team finished fourth overall—narrowly losing the third-place playoff 14-20 to hosts Uzbekistan—their campaign was highlighted by standout individual performances. The tournament served as a vital testing ground for young Indian athletes transitioning from the domestic circuit to a highly competitive international stage.
The defining moment of the championship occurred during India's clash against Sri Lanka. Trailing in the final minute, Mahak secured a spectacular last-minute try to seal a 22-19 victory—inflicting the only defeat the Sri Lankan team suffered in the entire tournament. Individually, Mahak's nine tries in a two-day span earned her the prestigious Player of the Tournament accolade. Simultaneously, the Indian men’s team delivered a robust performance, winning four consecutive matches to secure a silver medal. Commenting on the event's success, Rugby India President Rahul Bose noted that the tournament served as an important start to the international season, stating it provided meaningful competition exposure for players across both the men's and women's squads.
Background
Hailing from Bhadrasu village in the mountainous Uttarkashi district, Mahak’s entry into the sport was entirely accidental. Originally a track and field athlete who moved to Dehradun for structured training, she mistakenly attended a rugby trial in Roorkee three years ago, believing it to be a running race. Mentored by Ayush Saini, coach of the state side and treasurer of the Uttarakhand Rugby Association, she quickly adapted to the high-intensity, demanding nature of rugby sevens. Prior to her senior call-up for Tashkent, she proved her mettle by representing the Indian Under-20 squad, securing a bronze medal at an international championship in Malaysia.
Mahak’s rapid ascent demonstrates the sheer effectiveness of early talent identification in regions with historically limited sporting infrastructure. Her transition from an accidental participant to a celebrated international rugby star proves that non-traditional centers like Uttarakhand can produce elite, world-class athletes. This success will likely inspire increased investment and structural support from local rugby bodies, paving the way for more youth from smaller towns and villages to enter the national framework and challenge established sporting norms.
Our Final Thoughts
Mahak Chauhan’s trajectory from a small Himalayan village to the international rugby arena is nothing short of cinematic. It is a powerful reminder that elite athletic potential often resides in the most unexpected places, waiting only for an opportunity to be unearthed. While her arrival in the sport was the result of a serendipitous wrong turn at a trial in Roorkee, her subsequent success is entirely by design—fueled by relentless dedication, raw speed, and strategic local mentorship. As Indian rugby continues to expand its footprint beyond traditional urban hubs, athletes like Mahak are essential to defining its future. The CASA Rugby 7s was merely her senior debut, but her nine tries and decisive match-winning moments suggest she is already a cornerstone of the national team. If this is what she can achieve in just three years, her ceiling in global rugby remains remarkably high.
