India’s Kabaddi dominance in World Cups and Asian Games explained

The dominance of the Indian Kabaddi team when it comes to multi-nation tournaments is a sheer delight for sports fans.

Indian Kabaddi team in a file photo. (Image credit: Twitter)
By Shayne Dias | Mar 18, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

When one talks about dominance in sports, it is on a team and individual basis. When one talks about an individual, the immediate thought is Lewis Hamilton and his brilliance in F1 racing. When one talks about a team, the New Zealand All Blacks and their supremacy in Rugby is unprecedented. When it comes to India, the dominance of the Hockey team from 1928 to 1956 in the Olympics is staggering. However, there is one more team from India that has managed to match the definition of dominance in one sport. This sport has gone under the radar for being too local. This sport has not gotten it’s due in the world. There can be no denying the fact that the dominance is real. India’s magnificent showing in Kabaddi is a fact many in the country are aware or not aware of.

Consider the pure numbers when it comes to Kabaddi and India’s performance. In 36 years, when Kabaddi became part of the Asian Games, India has won nine gold medals. In fact, they were undefeated from 1982 to 2014. It was only during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta that India lost for the very first time in Kabaddi, with both the men and women losing in the final to Iran. In 11 instances, India has won nine gold medals and secured one silver and bronze medal each. In the Kabaddi World Cup, three editions of the tournament have been played and India have won all three. If this is not dominance, then the definition needs to be changed.

How have India dominated?

When it comes to Kabaddi, India has a very rich culture of the sport dating back to thousands of years. Kabaddi was viewed as the ultimate exercise experience during the ancient times. It makes an individual nimble footed, aware and it also helps in developing overall strength and stamina.

The culture of Kabaddi over the ages may have changed but the passion in India has not changed. It is inexpensive to set up a Kabaddi pitch. The rules are pretty simple and it is engaging for the sheer fact that an opportunity can be created anytime.

In India, there are multiple variations of Kabaddi that can enhance the skills. Apart from the standard variation, there is a circle style of play which includes the Sanjeevani, Gamini, Amar and the Punjabi style. Each style has a different skill-set and it makes a player holistically brilliant in executing the moves in Kabaddi. With the inauguration of the Pro Kabaddi League on the lines of the IPL in 2014, the game has received a massive boost in the country. 2018 might have been a blip, but the rich culture of Kabaddi ensures that India’s domination will be there for a long time to come.