Bangladesh return to podium after 14 years with bronze glory

Bangladesh has achieved a historic milestone in women's kabaddi, ending a 14-year podium drought at the Asian Beach Games.

Despite a spirited display in the semi-final, the national side eventually succumbed to a formidable Indian team, falling 50-31 in Sanya.

Whilst the defeat ended their dreams of a gold-medal showdown, the semi-final appearance secured a well-deserved bronze medal for the "Red and Greens" under the tournament’s regulations, marking the country’s first medal in this discipline since 2012.

The semi-final was a high-stakes encounter that began with significant intensity.

From the opening whistle, the Bangladeshi women fought valiantly, matching the Indian raiders point for point in the early stages.

By the end of the first half, India held a manageable seven-point lead at 22-15, leaving the door open for a Bangladeshi fightback. 

However, the momentum shifted decisively after the interval.

India’s experienced raiders exploited lapses in the Bangladeshi defence, extending their lead with a series of clinical points.

Despite Bangladesh’s best efforts to regain their footing, the gap proved too wide to bridge, with the match concluding in a 19-point margin.

The path to this bronze-medal finish was complicated by a gruelling schedule.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Bangladesh faced Nepal in a rescheduled group-stage fixture that had been postponed from Friday due to rain.

In what turned out to be a pulsating, neck-and-neck contest, Bangladesh narrowly lost 38-36. 

That two-point defeat prevented them from topping the group and set up the daunting semi-final clash against India just hours later.

By finishing the tournament in semi-finalist, the Bangladesh women’s team has re-established itself as a continental force.

Returning to the podium after 14 years is a testament to the squad’s resilience and progress, providing a significant boost to the sport's profile back home in Dhaka.