Sports
The origins and rules of kabaddi as a competitive sport
Did you know that kabaddi, a sport often seen as a thrilling blend of tag and wrestling, traces its roots back over 4,000 years to ancient India?
Its origins are steeped in mythology, with tales that suggest warriors honed their skills and tactics using a game similar to kabaddi.
Evolving from these legendary beginnings, kabaddi became a competitive sport with formalized rules in 1923, notably gaining prominence during the 1936 Berlin Olympics when it was exhibited to an international audience.
In modern competitive kabaddi, two teams of seven players face off on a rectangular court.
The game combines physical agility and strategic thinking as players, called “raiders,” cross into the opposing team’s half, attempting to tag as many defenders as possible while chanting “kabaddi, kabaddi” without taking a breath.
Each tagged defender is out of the game, but the raider must return to their side safely to score points, making each raid a test of both endurance and cunning.
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