CBL-5: Pride Chasers win at Kayamkulam, Chundan Warriors finish 2nd

Alappuzha / November 22, 2025

Alappuzha, Nov 22: Pride Chasers won the eighth match of the fifth season of the Champions Boat League (CBL-5) at Kayamkulam today, while lowly Chundan Warriors dramatically emerged second, upsetting top teams that included reigning title-holders Tropical Titans.

Backwater Kings came third, after Tropical Titans failed to qualify for the finals at Kayamkulam, which is the eighth of the 12 weekend races of the IPL-style tournament being organised by Kerala Tourism.

Pride Chasers (Kainakary Village Boat Club which owns the Veeyapuram Chundan) finished first this evening by clocking 5:04:145 minutes. Just behind came Chundan Warriors (Naduvele Paramban of Immanuel Boat Club) at 5:05:838 minutes. On Niranam snake-boat, owned by Niranam Boat Club, Backwater Kings finished third at 5:06:359 minutes. 

The Kayamkulam track, which has been traditionally served nightmares to rowers, showed its dicey face this time as well. The first signs of unpredictability came when Chundan Warriors unexpectedly made it to the finals by clocking the best time in the heats. It meant Tropical Titans wouldn’t go beyond the losers' final.

In fact, at the finals, Chundan Warriors even enjoyed an initial lead, surging ahead with all their might. They enjoyed a clear lead in the first half, but soon Pride Chasers began showing off a more skilful performance. Amid loud cheers from the crowd, Pride Chasers won in style with a natural flair typical of their rowers.

The Kayamkulam points standings are as follows: Tropical Titans (Melpadam chundan of Pallathuruthy Boat Club) fourth, Ripple Breakers (Nadubhagam of Punnamada Boat Club) fifth, Backwater Chargers (Cheruthana of Thekkekkara Boat Club) sixth, Thunder Oars (Karichal of KCBC) seventh, Backwater Warriors (Payipadaan of Kumarakom Town Boat Club) eighth and Wave Gliders Champakulam (Changanassery Boat Club) ninth.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Deputy Commissioner N. Santhosh Kumar hoisted the flag. Others who participated included U. Prathibha MLA, former legislator C.K. Sadasivan, Kerala Tourism Joint Director Abhilash Kumar TG (CBL Nodal Officer), CBL State Coordinator Dr Ansar K.A.S and Alappuzha Deputy Director Prabhath D.V. besides members of the CBL Technical Committee.

The club that wins the championship will receive Rs 25 lakh. The runner-up will get Rs 15 lakh; the third-place winner Rs 10 lakh. The top three winners of each race receive Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. Each team will also get a bonus of Rs 4 lakh.

ENDS