Bangladesh winners of Bangabandhu Kabaddi

Bangladesh emerged as winners of the Bangabandhu International Kabaddi Tournament 2022, beating Kenya 34-31, including two Lona points, in a hard-fought contest at the Shaheed Noor Hossain National Volleyball Stadium on Thursday.

The Kenyans got off to a brilliant start, putting Bangladesh under pressure in the early minutes as they led 8-4.

But their early spark was soon put out as Bangladesh made a strong comeback, leading Kenya 17-14 at half-time.

The towering height in combination with brute power of the Kenyans unsettled Bangladesh in the early stages.

Defending champions, Bangladesh changed their tactics and managed to stop Kenya’s best raider, Victor, from stealing a point and likes of Rajib and Jakir scored points and sent out opposition players.

Kenya was all-out in the first-half, giving Bangladesh their first Lona.

Bangladesh enforced their continued dominance in the second half but Kenya’s determination and intent kept them in the game.

Rajib turned a corner and pushed Bangladesh ahead as he sent out two Kenyans in quick time, giving Bangladesh a five-point lead at that stage.

But Kenya had enough in the tank to make a serious charge for the championship, reducing the points-gap to just one point in the dying minutes of the match but failed to close a three-point deficit as time ran out, losing back-to-back finals to Bangladesh.