Kabaddi royalty: India rules Asia once more
Even before the kabaddi competitions began at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Iran had emerged as the sole challenger to the Indian juggernaut. Unsurprisingly, India faced Iran in both the men’s and women’s finals, emerging victorious on both counts. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
Even before the kabaddi competitions began at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Iran had emerged as the sole challenger to the Indian juggernaut. Unsurprisingly, India faced Iran in both the men’s and women’s finals, emerging victorious on both counts. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
Was there ever a doubt? For the fourth time in the history of the Asian Games, the Indian men’s and women’s kabaddi teams bagged the golden double. For the men, it was a record-extending ninth gold medal, while the women strengthened their position at the top with their fourth.
Even before the kabaddi competitions began at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Iran had emerged as the sole challenger to the Indian juggernaut. Unsurprisingly, India faced Iran in both the men’s and women’s finals.
Iran, the double champion in 2018, the only year in which India failed to claim gold, ran the defending champions close. But India clinched hard-fought wins (37-34 in women’s final; 40-34 in men’s final) to defend its titles.
The men’s summit clash had plenty to excite Pro Kabaddi League fans. Iran stars Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui, both household names in PKL, were part of the contest.
Tempers flared at times too, with the tension reaching its peak at the end when skipper Sunil Kumar was seen gesturing at Shadloui, a reminder of their feud going back years.
The women strengthened their position at the top of Asian Kabaddi with their fourth gold in five editions of the sport’s history within the Asiad. | Photo Credit: PTI
The women strengthened their position at the top of Asian Kabaddi with their fourth gold in five editions of the sport’s history within the Asiad. | Photo Credit: PTI
For the Indian women, veteran Sonali Shingate, part of the silver-winning 2018 team, contributed throughout the campaign with her effective raiding. Youngsters like Nikita also showed their potential on the biggest stage in world kabaddi. Captain Pushpa Rana, meanwhile, held firm in defence.
In the men’s competition, several Asian Games debutants like Ayan Lochab and Devank Dalal contributed to India’s successful run. Sunil marshalled the defence, while ‘Hi-Flyer’ Pawan Sehrawat was barely sent onto the mat throughout the Games.
Behind India and Iran, Chinese Taipei (men and women), Thailand (men), and Nepal (women) took the bronze medals.
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