Kenya's women's kabaddi team have booked a place in the semi-finals of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad, India, after crushing England 82-6 in a one-sided Group B contest that produced the biggest winning margin of the competition so far.

The 76-point victory at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex was powered by raider Joy Vanessa Onyango, who on her own collected 27 raid points, more than four times England's entire tally. Kenya's 82 points is also the highest team score recorded at the championship to date.

A rout from start to finish

Kenya were in control from the opening raids and inflicted eight all-outs on the English side, the term used in kabaddi when an entire team is eliminated from the mat and the opponents earn bonus points.

Onyango was backed up in attack by Shabbie Yongo, who added six points, and Lavenda Odhiambo, who chipped in with five. At the back, defenders Stacy Karanja and Mary Oteki made four tackle points each, shutting down England's raiders for most of the match.

England, who have not won a match in the group, managed only six points in total. Anisa Khan scored four of them and Erin Nicholson the other two.

Perfect record in Group B

The win over England was part of a perfect group campaign for the Kenyans. According to official tournament results, Kenya opened with a 34-25 win over Bangladesh on 23 October before edging Sri Lanka 23-20 in a tight contest the following day.

After the England rout on Monday, Kenya beat Scotland 61-16, with Odhiambo leading the way on 16 points, Esther Omolo adding nine and Onyango six. That result kept the team unbeaten in the women's competition and confirmed them as Group B leaders.

  • Kenya 34-25 Bangladesh
  • Kenya 23-20 Sri Lanka
  • Kenya 82-6 England
  • Kenya 61-16 Scotland

Semi-final on Friday

The championship, which runs from 23 to 31 October, has drawn 13 men's teams and 10 women's teams from across the Commonwealth, including fellow East Africans Uganda and Tanzania.

Kenya's women are scheduled to play their semi-final on Friday, 30 October, with their opponents still to be confirmed. Hosts India face Sri Lanka in the other women's semi-final, and the final is set for Saturday, 31 October.

Kenya's men's side are also enjoying a strong run in Ahmedabad, having won their opening three Group B matches against Singapore, Bangladesh and Scotland, including an 80-15 thrashing of the Scots. They were due to face Canada and Australia in their remaining group fixtures.

Kabaddi, a contact sport with roots in South Asia, has grown steadily in Kenya over the past decade, and the women's performance in India is among the country's most notable results on the international stage.

Photos: Eastleigh Voice. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.