Kabaddi is an indigenous game of India. Therefore, it is natural for Indian players to excel than other countries. It is quite a popular team sport that requires power and skill. It can be seen as a mix of rugby and wrestling.
The kabaddi game originated in India more than 4,000 years ago and is widely played across the subcontinent. The game was originally intended to develop self-defense. It is an inexpensive and simple game that does not require expensive equipment or a massive playground.
Thanks to its public appeal and simplicity, it also came to be known as the Game of the Masses. Since it does not require expensive equipment, kabaddi is quite popular in developing nations. While the sport was originally played on clay courts, synthetic surfaces are used today.
Since kabaddi originated in India, the neighboring countries can easily access and learn the game. Over the years, various other Asian nations started dominating this sport and have produced some of the best kabaddi players in the world today.
Apart from India, kabaddi is also played in other countries like Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Oman, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Nepal, China, etc. The sport has also grown popular overseas, in countries like Scotland, Norway, Kenya, Italy, England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc.
Currently, there are two formats of Kabaddi World Cup; they include:
The Standard Style is the international variation of kabaddi. Here, two teams of seven members each compete. Here, once the defender is tagged by the raider, he cannot come back. This takes place until all the players of a team are eliminated.
The contest has been held in 2004, 2007, 2016, and 2022. India has been the most successful team and has won all four tournaments. Iran was the runners-up for the first three tournaments, while Iraq was the finalist in the 2022 championship.
The current ranking is India in the first place, Iran in the second place, Bangladesh in the third place, and fourth place is shared by Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Canada. This was the best kabaddi match for India.
As for the Circle Style, this format is very popular in the Indian subcontinent; however, this format is also played internationally. The Circle Style has two variants – the Sanjeevani Kabaddi and the Gaminee Style. In the Sanjeevani Kabaddi, an India kabaddi player can get revived if you out one player of the opposite team. As for the Gaminee Style, a player has to remain out until all players of his team are out. The rest of the rules and regulations are almost the same as the Standard Style.
Even in the Circle Style men’s division, India has been the winners for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 tournaments. However, the 2022 winner was Pakistan. As for the women’s division, India has been the winner of 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 tournaments.
Some international kabaddi competitions include:
The popularity of kabaddi is only 
growing. In fact, Bangladesh has its national game kabaddi. According to the most decorated kabaddi player in Bangladesh, Abdul Jalil, the choice was very easy. This is a sport that is easy to understand and play. Additionally, Bangladeshis play kabaddi during various festivities like Durga Puja and Eid. This sport has become a part of the Bangladeshi way of life and has witnessed wide participation.
The Bangladesh kabaddi team has won silver medals in the 1994 and 2002 editions of the Asian Games. The team was also placed third in 2004 and 2007. From this, it is understandable that the Bangladeshi team is quite proficient at this sport.
The Pro Kabaddi League is considered the top kabaddi tournament for Indian kabaddi teams. Here, various states compete against one another to win the coveted Pro Kabaddi League Championship. This League is very important as it has improved the viewership of the sport and has become very successful on Indian television.
Some other great Indian tournaments include the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League, Kabaddi Masters, and Super Kabaddi League.
Overall, it is safe to say that the Indian Kabaddi team is here to stay. India is known to be a very formidable force in this sport, simply going by the fact that we have won almost every medal since the inception of kabaddi tournaments and championships.
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