The Hindu : Sport : India lifts World Cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 22, 2004

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

India lifts World Cup

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, NOV. 21. India's agile bodies and minds proved more potent than Iranian hulks in the final of the World Cup kabaddi championships. The host, gelling as composed unit, excelled in attack and defence situations to win 55-27 in front of delirious fans at the Bhartiya Kreeda Mandir, Wadala, on Sunday.

Shailesh Sawant, was declared the `player of the final', edging out Hadi in the match-winners stakes. Skipper Sanjiva Kumar was named `player of tournament'.

Leading 27-12 at the breather, India showed composure and effortless raiding technique to amass seven bonus points in the first half, alongwith two loans. Iran, forced into desperate measures as the deficit widened, went into attack mode but made little impact on the host catchers. The world champion gained four points (four loans) in frenetic play after the breather, as crowd roared in approval. India was awarded Rs 2,00,000, Iran became richer by Rs 1,25,000.

Earlier in the semifinals, Al Mamum's outstanding display for Bangladesh could not prevent India's march into the final, the host winning 39-19 after leading 12-5 at the break.

Skipper Sanjiva Kumar and Manpreet Singh notched 10 points each and had a hand in breaking down rival resistance. Mamum's calculated play ensured three points for Bangladesh and `best player' award.

Iran overpowered Canada 54-28 in the second semifinal after leading comfortably 31-9 at half-time, all-rounder Hadi making an impact to be adjudged the 'best player'. The losing semifinalists were awarded Rs. 50,000. The first World Cup kabaddi championships was organised by South Kanara Sports Club at Bhartiya Kreeda Mandir, Wadala.

The results: Final: India 55 (Sanjiva Kumar 12-five bonus points), Manpreet Singh 3-3) bt Iran 27 (Behzad Banedi 3-2, Gholamreza Mazadarani 4, Mostafa Nodehi 1-1). Player of final: Shailesh Sawant. Player of Tournament: Sanjiva Kumar.

Semifinals: India bt Bangladesh 39-19 (12-5); Iran bt Canada 54-28 (31-9).

Quarterfinals: Bangladesh bt Japan 33-24 (12-11); Canada bt United Kingdom 66-28 (32-11).

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