INDIA’S MEN’S KABADDI team hit a new low on Thursday when they missed out on Asian Games gold for the first time ever following their second defeat in a week.
The seven-time champions, who had never lost in the tournament until Monday’s defeat to South Korea, slumped 27-18 to Iran in the semi-finals to finish with a bronze medal.
Until this week, India had only ever lost once before in their homegrown sport, going down to South Korea at the 2016 World Cup.
News Flash: Men’s Kabaddi | Huge upset as India go down 18-27 to Iran in Semis.
— India@AsianGames2018 (@India_AllSports) August 23, 2018
Had to contend with Bronze
That would hurt folks as Its first time in Asian Games history that India would come back home without Men’s Kabaddi Gold Medal #AsianGames2018
#Kabaddi
— The Field (@thefield_in) August 23, 2018
Indian captain Ajay Thakur is shell-shocked. The raiders, including Thakur, failed to get going today. This loss will hit the 7-time Asian champions hard.#AsianGames2018 Live updates: https://t.co/S93eRDUyM4 pic.twitter.com/2W9qSz9bcZ
India are now relying on their women’s team, the two-time reigning champions, to defend national honour in their final against Iran.
Kabaddi, an ancient sport rooted in Indian mythology, made its Asian Games debut at the 1990 edition in Beijing.
The game requires yoga-like breathing skills as two seven-player teams send a raider into enemy territory to tag an opponent before returning to safety, all on one breath.
© Agence France-Presse
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