Bangladesh scripted history by winning a bronze medal in their very first appearance at the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup. Although the home side narrowly missed out on a place in the final, the spirit inside Dhaka’s Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium was nothing short of electric, with supporters celebrating a result that marks a new milestone in the country’s kabaddi history.
Bangladesh entered the second semi-final with hopes of securing a historic place in the final. Their opponents, Chinese Taipei, however, played with superior tactical discipline and swift raiding that eventually resulted in a 25–18 victory for the visitors. Despite the loss, Bangladesh had already secured the bronze medal even before the match ended.
One of Bangladesh’s standout players, Smriti Akter, expressed both pride and a hint of regret:
“We lost on technical grounds, but earning a medal in our very first World Cup is a huge achievement. It would have been even more special to reach the final, but we’re truly happy.”
Bangladesh’s performance in the first half kept hopes alive. They trailed by only one point (9–8) at the interval, showing remarkable defensive organisation and courage. Supporters were on their feet, believing an upset might be on the cards. However, Chinese Taipei came back stronger in the second half, utilising fast-paced raids and coordinated defence to widen the gap.
The difference in experience became evident as Bangladesh made a few rushed offensive moves, while the visitors remained composed. Still, the home players fought relentlessly until the final whistle.
In the day’s earlier semi-final, India brushed aside Iran with a 33–21 victory to reach the final. India and Chinese Taipei will battle for the championship title tomorrow at 4:30 pm.
This is only the second edition of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup. The previous tournament took place in 2012, where India defeated Iran in the final. Bangladesh were eliminated in the quarter-finals then—making their 2025 bronze medal not only historic but a remarkable leap forward.
Kabaddi analysts emphasise that with increased exposure, structured training, and international camps, Bangladesh could soon challenge for a place in the final and even a title. Today’s achievement is seen as a stepping stone towards a brighter, more competitive future for women’s kabaddi in the country.
Match Summary Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Women’s Kabaddi World Cup |
| Stage | Semi-final |
| Venue | Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur |
| Teams | Bangladesh vs Chinese Taipei |
| Final Score | Bangladesh 18 – Chinese Taipei 25 |
| Half-time Score | Bangladesh 8 – Chinese Taipei 9 |
| Finalists | India, Chinese Taipei |
| Bangladesh’s Achievement | Bronze Medal |