A group of Malayalis created history by helping England secure silver medals in both women’s and men’s categories in the Kabaddi World Cup held in West Midlands in the UK.

In both finals, the English teams faced heavyweights India. In the women’s final, India won 57-34, while it was much closer in the men’s title match, with the favourites edging England 44-41

Head coach Mathew Saju poses with the women’s medallists.

Captain Athira Sunil, Neelima Unni Suma, Neeraja Unni Suma, and Pressymol Preni were the Malayalis in the England women’s team. The England men’s team comprised Keralites Mashood Koorattante and Abhijith Krishnan Thaivalappil. Mathew Saju coached the England women’s team.

Athira is a native of Nayarambalam in Vypin, Ernakulam; Neelima and Neeraja are from Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram, while Pressymol is from Ettumannur in Kottayam. Abhijith is from Cheruvathur in Kasaragod, and Mashood is a native of Ponnani in Malappuram district.

“Games against India are often one-sided, but it was not the case this time. England’s women and men fought really hard and made India earn the gold medals,” said Mathew Saju.

The native of Alappuzha has represented England in European championships. “But this was special because the England Kabaddi teams usually don’t go beyond the semifinals. We had a good battle with Hong Kong China before facing India,” Saju said.