Indian kabaddi at Asian Games: What happened at the 2018 Jakarta Games?

The 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, witnessed a significant turn of events in the Indian kabaddi scene.

Kabaddi, a traditional sport in India, has always been a stronghold for the country at international competitions. However, the 2018 Asian Games saw unexpected twists and outcomes that left Indian fans both surprised and disappointed.

India's dominance in men's kabaddi had been unquestionable for years, having won gold in every Asian Games since the sport's induction in the 1990 edition.

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How did India fare in the 2018 Asian Games in Kabaddi?

However, at the 2018 Jakarta Games, this unbroken winning streak of nine consecutive golds came to an end.

In a shocking turn of events, the Indian kabaddi team suffered a stunning defeat to Iran in the semi-final match, marking the first time that India had not reached the gold medal match in Asian Games history.

Iran's victory over India was a historic moment in Asian kabaddi, and it was a testament to the growing competitiveness of the sport on the continent. The Iranian team displayed exceptional skills and teamwork, outperforming the Indian squad in a closely contested match that ended with a scoreline of 18-27.

Following this surprising loss, India faced Pakistan in the bronze medal match. The Indian team managed to secure the bronze medal by defeating Pakistan, salvaging some pride.

In the women's category, the Indian kabaddi team had a better outcome. The Indian women's kabaddi team continued their dominance at the 2018 Asian Games by clinching the silver medal after they were narrowly defeated by Iran 24-27 in the final.

The 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta marked a significant shift in the Indian kabaddi landscape. 

However, they are back in the 2023 Asian Games and will look to bounce back with another gold in Hangzhou, China.

In fact, they head into the Games after winning the Asian Kabaddi Championship title after vanquishing Iran in the final. 

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What is the Indian Kabaddi team for the 2023 Asian Games?

Indian men’s kabaddi team for Asian Games: Nitesh Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal, Sachin, Surjeet Singh, Vishal Bhardwaj, Arjun Deshwal, Aslam Inamdar, Naveen Kumar, Pawan Sehrawat, Sunil Kumar, Nitin Rawal, Akash Shinde.

Indian women’s kabaddi team for Asian Games: Akshima, Jyoti, Pooja, Pooja, Priyanka, Pushpa, Sakshi Kumari, Ritu Negi, Nidhi Sharma, Sushma Sharma, Snehal Pradeep Shinde, Sonali Vishnu Shingat.