Sports desk, 30 June: India put up an incredible performance to defeat Iran by 42-32 in the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship final on Friday at the Dong-Eui Institute of Technology Seokdang Cultural Centre in Busan, Republic of Korea. This was India’s eighth victory in nine editions.
Indian captain Pawan Sehrawat took the initiative with a fantastic 10.
The Indian men’s kabaddi team trailed Iran in the first five minutes of the game. However, Iran was obliged to go all-out in the 10th minute of play following a few tackle points by the defence and productive raids by Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar.
The Indian kabaddi team quickly strengthened their lead as they gained momentum and put up an outstanding overall performance. Iran defeated the defending champions India with a few simple bonus points but in the 19th minute India inflicted a second all-out on Iran.
India led by a score of 23-11 going into the break. The Iranian team’s captain, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh helped India suffer its first all-out in the 29th minute with a two-point raid and a super raid.
The game became tense as Iran reduced the deficit to 38-31 with two minutes left but India hung on to scrape out a 42-32 triumph.
Earlier in the day, India had beaten Hong Kong 64-20 to end the league stage of the tournament undefeated.