India claims Asian Kabaddi Championship for record eighth time; beats Iran 42-32 in final

Indian Kabaddi Team (Source: Twitter)

India defeated Iran in the final of the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 in Busan, South Korea, to lift the title for the record eighth time. In a stunning performance against their arch-rivals on Friday, the 2017 champions added another feather to their cap with a 42-32 win at the Dong-Eui Institute of Technology Seokdang Cultural Center. This is India's eighth championship in nine editions, Iran having won only once (2003).

Team India had initially been down, but made a great comeback in the 10th minute to all-out the Iranian team, thanks to a few tackle points by the defence and successful raids by skipper Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar. Leading from the front, Sehrawat also achieved a Super 10 in the match.

India continued the momentum and capitalised on their advantage with a brilliant all-round performance. Iran got a few easy bonus points against India, but the reigning champions once again all-out their opponent in the 19th minute. Sehrawat's side held a 23-11 lead going into the second half. But, with their captain in command, Iran developed a rhythm.

Iran inflicted the first all-out on India in the 29th minute with a two-point raid and a super raid, thanks to an assist from skipper Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh. The battle moved to aa tense phase when Iran cut the lead to 38-31 with two minutes remaining. However, India held on to clinch a stunning 42-32 victory.

India won all the five matches in the league stage

The Indian team remained unbeaten throughout the season and topped the points table. Earlier in the day, India had defeated Hong Kong 64-20 to end the group stage of the tournament undefeated. Iran also dominated throughout the season but fell short in a must-win game against Sehrawat and Co. on day three of the tournament to finish second on the points table.

The arch-rivals locked horns for the first time since the 2018 Asian Games semifinals when India lost 18-27 to Iran, failing to make the finals for the first time in the tournament's history. India's next challenge will be the Asian Games 2023 to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.