Anuja Kulung Rai (born 29 October 1998) is a Nepali kabaddi player. She has represented Nepal at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2026 Asian Beach Games, winning bronze medals in women's kabaddi at both competitions. She has also represented the Nepal Army and has served as vice-captain of the Nepal women's national kabaddi team.
Early life and career
Rai grew up in Jhapa District in eastern Nepal. She developed an interest in kabaddi and trained despite opposition from her family. she travelled by bicycle for more than an hour and sometimes travelled secretly to nearby cities to train.
Rai later joined the Nepal Army and became a member of the Nepal women's national kabaddi team. She was selected for Nepal's squad for the 2022 Asian Games, alongside fellow Nepal Army players Ganga Ghimire and Isha Rai.
International career
2022 Asian Games
Rai was selected as one of 12 members of Nepal's women's kabaddi team for the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Before the Games, she took part in a 30-day training programme and seven practice matches in Haryana, India, as part of Nepal's preparations for the tournament.
Nepal reached the semifinals of the women's kabaddi tournament, where it lost to India. The result secured Nepal the bronze medal, its first medal in women's kabaddi at the Asian Games. Rai was a member of the bronze-medal-winning team.
2026 Asian Beach Games
Rai represented Nepal in women's beach kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China. Nepal finished third in the women's tournament and won the bronze medal. Rai was part of the Nepal team and competed in the preliminary round, including Nepal's match against Chinese Taipei on 23 April 2026.
Awards and honours
In 2023, Rai was listed among the nominees for the Nepal Olympic Committee Award for Best Female Athlete.
References