For a change, the Indian men’s kabaddi team encountered things they hadn’t in 14 years at the Asian Games. They had won gold in the last six editions since the sport made its debut in Beijing in 1990. But in the men’s final on Friday, Iran had little respect for the sport’s kings.
The Indian men had to sweat and slog for a 27-25 victory for the gold a little after its women defeated Iran 31-21 to finish with a happy double which took it to the eighth spot in the medals table.
With fast raids and a water-tight defence, Iran raced to a 17-7 lead.
Suddenly, Jasvir Singh, one of India’s top raiders, looked mediocre. The fitter and stronger Iranians exposed him, trapping him twice.
And, with Ajay Thakur also caught, India appeared set to lose its hold over the event.
Iran, which lost to India by just a point in the 2010 semifinal at Guangzhou, forced a lona in the ninth minute which carried it to 14-7.
A little later, playing aggressively, it went to the break at 21-13.
“Our start was very dull. Had we got a good start and caught a few of them, it would have shattered their confidence,” said India captain Rakesh Kumar.
Rattled
A rattled India tightened its defence, made a couple of substitutions and used Anup Kumar more in raids. Anup led the recovery and helped India gain a lona. It cut Iran’s lead to 21-19.
The final was close after that, with the scores level at 21 and 24, but with Hadi and Sedigheh suffering what appeared like hard blows while being trapped, the wind went out of Iran’s sails.
The women’s final was a lot easier but Iran got as close as 10-12 before India, riding on fine performances from captain Tejeswini Bal and Mamatha, broke away for a comfortable victory.
For India, it was its second straight gold in women’s kabaddi which made its Asiad debut in Guangzhou four years ago.
The results:
Finals:
Men: India bt Iran 27-25 (half-time 13-21).
Women: India bt Iran 31-21 (half-time 15-11).
