Bangladesh won the hat-trick title of Bangabandhu Cup International Kabaddi defeating Chinese Taipei 42-28 in the final held at the Shahid Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium on Tuesday (March, 21).
Bangladesh won the competition`s inaugural edition in 2021 and successfully defended its title in the next two competitions. Five teams took part in the inaugural edition, eight teams took part in the second edition in 2022, and 12 teams took part in the third edition this year. In the three tournaments to date, Bangladesh has never suffered a defeat.
Both the finalists Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei qualified for the next edition of Kabaddi world Cup billed to be held next year.
However Chinese Taipei posed some strong challenge from the very beginning with their agility and fitness and it was a neck to neck fight in the initial minutes. Chinese Taipei took the lead in the opening minutes, and the score was tied 6-6 in the sixth minute. With a score of 8-7, Bangladesh gained the lead for the first time in the 11th minute.
Bangladesh received three Lonas, with the first one coming in the 15th minute. Two Taiwanese players were eliminated as a result of a superb raid led by inspirational captain Tuhin Tarafder, which led to the first Lona.
Bangladesh finished the opening period ahead 20-14. Mizanur, Arduzzaman and Tuhin`s successful raid one after the other began to increase the points for Bangladesh. At one point, Bangladesh got the third Lona by Tuhin`s raid (37-21). At that time the victory of Bangladesh was almost confirmed.
Efficient time and player management never allowed Taipei to get past the gridlock of Bangladesh and Bangladesh had the last laugh.
