5 interesting kabaddi facts that you may not be aware of
Kabaddi, India’s indigenous sport, has been the flavour of the town with the inception of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi. With the second season of the League creating waves post a magnificent kick-off, it is appropriate to re-visit certain facts on the game.The term “Kabaddi” by itself seems to have a strong etymological connect. It originates from the Tamil word, Kai-Pidi, which translates to “hold-hands”. Certain other scholars add that the word has a Sanskrit root and derives from the tem Kar-badhi. Incidentally, kabaddi is often perceived as the state sport of Tamil Nadu. Other states across India like Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Punjab too claim kabaddi as their state sport.With the sport being celebrated across the globe now, here is a list of five insightful facts on the sport that one may not be aware of:
#1 India\'s dominance
India is the only country that has won all the kabaddi World Cups and Asian Games. Moreover, kabaddi remains as the only sport being played in all the three versions of the Asian Games – Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games and Asian Beach Games. Women’s kabaddi, though, crept into the picture at the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010.
India has won both the kabaddi world cups played till now. The indomitable Indian side remained unbeaten throughout the tournament’s history while Iran finished as the runner-up on both occasions. The host nation dominated the final in 2004, scoring 55 and restricting Iran to just 27 to lift the inaugural world cup. In the 2007 edition, India beat Iran convincingly (29-19), yet again, to defend their title.
The Indian women’s kabaddi team is not far away either. The squad clinched gold both the times the sport was part of the Asian Games – 2010 and 2014. They even won the South Asian Games in 2010, beating Bangladesh to the top spot.