Asian Games: Gold double in sight as India's kabaddi teams begin campaign
India's men's and women's kabaddi teams will begin their Asian Games title defence on September 21, with both sides aiming to repeat the gold-medal double they achieved at Hangzhou 2022.
The competition will be held at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium from September 21 to 26, with 10 men's teams and eight women's teams competing. The tournament will feature a round-robin group stage, followed by the semi-finals and gold medal matches.
India's men will open their campaign against hosts Japan, while the women's team will face Bangladesh.THE GROUPS
India's men have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Japan, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh. Group B features Iran, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The draw keeps India and Iran, the two most successful teams in Asian Games kabaddi, apart until the final.
India's women, meanwhile, are in Group A with Iran, Japan and Bangladesh. Group B comprises Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal.
Unlike the men's competition, India will face Iran in the women's group stage, with the two teams scheduled to meet on September 23.INDIA'S TITLE DEFENCE
Iran remain India's biggest threat in both competitions. They are the only nation besides India to have won Asian Games gold in both the men's and women's events.
Iran ended India's seven-edition winning run in men's kabaddi at Jakarta 2018, while the Iranian women also defeated India at the same Games, winning the final 27-24.
India got their revenge at Hangzhou 2022. The men's team defeated Iran to reclaim the Asian Games gold, while the women's side beat Chinese Taipei 26-25 in a closely fought final.
Chinese Taipei have since established themselves as one of the leading women's kabaddi teams outside India and Iran. Bangladesh and Republic of Korea, both multiple Asian Games medallists, will also provide a stern test for India's men.
Hosts Japan will have the advantage of home support as they take on India in the men's opening match.
India men's head coach Balwan Singh brings considerable experience to the campaign, having won 14 international gold medals as a coach. His achievements include all three of India's men's Kabaddi World Cup titles in 2004, 2007 and 2016.
He will be assisted by BC Ramesh, who has won the Pro Kabaddi League twice, with Bengal Warriorz in Season 7 and Puneri Paltan in Season 10.
Singh has stressed that India will not take any opponent lightly.
"We don't consider any opponent to be weak. If we make a mistake somewhere, the opponent becomes heavier, so the focus has to be on making the fewest possible errors over the full 40 minutes," he said.
He added that the message in the dressing room was to respect every opponent, regardless of the scoreline.WOMEN FACE TOUGHER ROAD
India's women's team will be aiming for a fourth gold medal in five Asian Games appearances.
They have medalled at every edition in which they have competed, winning gold in 2010, 2014 and 2022 and silver in 2018.
Pushpa Rana will lead the team, with Sonali Shingate expected to play a key role. Sanju Devi, the MVP of the 2025 Women's Kabaddi World Cup, is also part of the squad.
The team is coached by Neeta Dadwe and Mamtha Poojari, with Poojari identifying Iran and Chinese Taipei as India's main challenges.
"Iran and Chinese Taipei are the teams we're watching most closely," Poojari said.
She also pointed to Iran's ability to maintain a high tempo throughout the 40 minutes as a particular challenge.
India will face Iran in the group stage on September 23, while Chinese Taipei could await them in the semi-finals or final.
That gives the defending champions a potentially tougher route to the gold medal than the men's team, who can only meet Iran in the summit clash if both sides reach the final.advertisementFIXTURES AND SCHEDULESeptember 21: Men vs Japan (9:45 AM IST), Women vs Bangladesh (4:15 PM IST)
