Asian Games 2023 Kabaddi, India Gears Up for Battle
The excitement is building as the Asian Games 2023 Kabaddi competitions are set to kick off on October 2 and continue until October 7 at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre in Hangzhou, China. Kabaddi enthusiasts from around the world are eagerly awaiting thrilling matches in both the men's and women's categories.
In the men's division, nine teams will vie for supremacy, with each match lasting 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the women's category will feature seven teams, with matches capped at 35 minutes each. The stage is set for an intense battle of skill, strategy, and endurance.
The Indian Kabaddi teams, both men and women, find themselves in Group A of their respective events. Notably, defending champions Iran are placed in Group B for both men's and women's competitions, setting the stage for an epic showdown between these kabaddi powerhouses.
Let's take a closer look at the Asian Games 2023 Kabaddi teams and groups:
Men's Teams Group
- Group A: India, Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Chinese Taipei
- Group B: Iran, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia
Women's Teams Group
- Group A: India, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Republic of Korea
- Group B: Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran
The teams will engage in a round-robin format within their respective groups, with each team aiming to secure a top-two spot to advance to the semi-finals, which will also serve as the bronze medal matches.
The climax of the Asian Games 2023 Kabaddi competitions will come on October 7 when both the men's and women's finals will be held.
Iran's kabaddi team, the defending champions in both the men's and women's events, will be looking to retain their titles. However, Team India boasts a rich history in the sport and is the most successful team in Kabaddi at the Asian Games. Since the sport's introduction in 1990, India has consistently secured gold medals, except for one edition.
The Indian Kabaddi team features renowned players such as Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, and Vishal Bhardwaj, adding depth and talent to the squad. On the other hand, Iran will be led by stalwarts Fazel Atrachali and Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, both gold medalists from the previous edition in Jakarta 2018.
Kabaddi enthusiasts can mark their calendars for a thrilling lineup of matches, all in Indian Standard Times (IST):
Men's Kabaddi Schedule
- October 3: India vs Bangladesh (6:00 AM)
- October 4: India vs Thailand (6:00 AM)
- October 5: India vs Chinese Taipei (8:00 AM)
- October 5: India vs Japan (1:30 PM)
Women's Kabaddi Schedule
- October 2: India vs Chinese Taipei (1:30 PM)
- October 3: India vs South Korea (1:30 PM)
- October 4: India vs Thailand (1:30 PM)
Kabaddi enthusiasts in India can catch all the action live on Sony Liv, with matches also being telecast on the Sony Sports Network TV channel.
As the Asian Games 2023 Kabaddi competitions promise intense battles, fans are in for a treat as they witness the best of the sport on the grand stage. It's time for kabaddi to take center stage once again, with India aiming to continue its tradition of excellence in this beloved sport.
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