Lika Podder overcame a difficult upbringing and a lack of financial support to claim her maiden senior national badminton title, defeating former champion Urmi Akter in a thrilling women's singles final at the 40th National Badminton Championship in Dhaka on Thursday.
Representing Narayanganj District Sports Association (DSA), the 24-year-old produced a determined performance to beat Bangladesh Army's Urmi 22-20, 11-21, 21-18 at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, securing the biggest title of her five-year senior career.
Lika's triumph was particularly special given the financial struggles she has endured throughout her journey in the sport.
Originally from Mongla, Lika comes from a family of four that has struggled to make ends meet. Her father is a fisherman who earns a living by catching fish in the river, while Lika has increasingly taken responsibility for supporting her parents and sister.
The emotional significance of the victory became evident after the final when Lika broke down in tears while speaking to her mother, who was in Mongla, over a video call.
Winning a national title had long been a dream for her, and Lika finally made it a reality after overcoming the pressure of her first senior national final.
Speaking after the victory, Lika said she could hardly put into words the feeling of becoming champion in her first final after five years in senior badminton.
She also vowed to work harder to defend her title and bring further success for Bangladesh on the international stage, saying she would continue to rely on hard work and self-confidence.
Meanwhile, the men's singles final was not held after Bangladesh Ansar's SSM Sibgat Ullah withdrew due to illness, handing the title to Sylhet DSA's Rajin Ahmed.
In the men's doubles final, Bangladesh Ansar's Moajjem Hossain Ohidul and Shuvo Khandaker defeated Bangladesh Army's Al Amin Jumar and Sibgat 22-24, 21-18, 26-24.
Bangladesh Army's Brishti Khatun and SK Pritha won the women's doubles title, beating Narayanganj's Lika Podder and Smriti Rajbongshi 23-21, 21-17.
Jumar and Urmi Akter, however, ended their campaign on a winning note by claiming the mixed doubles crown. The Army pair defeated teammates Tamim Hasan and SK Pritha 21-17, 21-14.
