Kabaddi is an incredibly interesting sport that does not receive nearly as much attention as it deserves, and in all likelihood, this is not likely going to change any time soon. However, for those that know about it, Kabaddi can provide endless hours of entertainment, and it comes as no surprise to find out that this is one of the most popular sports in India.
In this article, we will be taking a look at a couple of interesting facts about Kabaddi, as well as going over everything you need to know about Kabaddi if you have never heard of it before. Let’s jump right into it.
What is Kabaddi?
Unless you are already familiar with Kabaddi, you are going to be in for a real treat. Just the concept of Kabaddi alone is enough to make most people turn their heads, and after we have told you what it is, we can guarantee you will know why this is the case.
So, what is Kabaddi? Well, Kabaddi is a sport of Indian origin that is usually played on a circular sand court by teams of seven. The players attempt to capture their opponents and must hold their breath while running, repeating the term “Kabaddi” to give evidence of them playing the game correctly.
To many people, this concept is going to sound almost alien. This is so far removed from what we are accustomed to when it comes to sports, and this is precisely why it causes most people to scratch their heads. However, to the people of India, this sport is commonplace.
Kabaddi also has a boat-load of nicknames (Kaudi, Pakaada, Ha-du-du, Bhavatik, Saadukuda, Hu-Tu-Tu, and Himoshika), so if you are from India yourself and think you recognise the premise but can’t put your finger on it, then this is probably why.
This sport is also played in some eastern territories such as Pakistan and Iran, but it has not managed to reach the notoriety that it has in India. Kabaddi is one of the most peculiar sports to have ever been invented, and because of its unfamiliarity, many people find it to be incredibly entertaining.
The Top Athletes In The Sport – Kabaddi
If you have never heard of Kabaddi, then you are not likely going to be all too familiar with any of the top names in the industry. This is for good reason – Kabaddi does not manage to get anywhere near to the levels of popularity that can be seen with other popular sports, and the fact that most of the top Kabaddi athletes can walk the streets without being noticed is a glaring testament to this.
Although, among select communities, Kabaddi stars are given tremendous respect, and they are often seen as local celebrities in towns where Kabaddi is popular. So, who are some of the top names in the industry?
To list a few of the most notable players, there is Manjeet Chhillar, Anup Kumar, Kashiling Adake, Rohit Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Maninder Singh, Ajay Thakur, Deepak Niwas Hooda, Rahul Choudhary, and last but certainly not least, the legendary Pardeep Narwal.
The vast majority of these names are hallmark names in Indian households all over the continent, and it is not uncommon to see photos of all of the aforementioned players plastered all over the bedrooms of Indian children’s walls.
Moreover, as you would expect after hearing everything we have to say in this section, Kabaddi betting is perhaps just as popular as the sport itself. Kabaddi’s aggressive nature makes it perfect for use as a betting sport, and it experiences one of the highest user participation rates to date.
Of course, Kabaddi is still relatively unknown in the grand scheme of things, so it doesn’t manage to hit the numbers that other popular sports do. However, this sport is notorious for its ability to make crowds and fans roar, and there are few experiences out there that can bring the same levels of excitement as watching a Kabaddi match.
This is even more so the case when two prominent teams are facing off against one another – this would be reminiscent of two huge Premier League teams going head to head. Kabaddi has more than its fair share of stars, and the players at the top are often heralded as local heroes.
Interesting Facts & Trivia about Kabaddi
There are a ton of remarkable facts about Kabaddi that are just going to blow your mind, and this is especially going to be the case if Kabaddi is a sport you are not all too familiar with.
For example, did you know that Kabaddi actually made an appearance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics? That’s right; Kabaddi was once an Olympic sport, and there is no doubt that this would have been a strange sight for anyone who was unfamiliar with the sport.
Another interesting fact about Kabaddi is that it is actually the national sport of Bangladesh. This should give you some idea of just how popular Kabaddi really is in India, and this fact usually comes as a surprise to people who were not already aware.
However, perhaps the most interesting fact of all is that Kabaddi is often regarded to be the “game of masses”, and this just refers to Kabaddi’s ability to appeal to almost anyone who experiences it. Kabaddi’s simplistic rules and exciting concept make it an easy watch for anyone, and it is easy to recognise why it has garnered this title.
So, do you think you are going to be catching the next Kabaddi game whenever it airs? If so, we certainly wouldn’t blame you. Kabaddi is one of the most unique sports in the world, and there are very few other sports that manage to bring out the same levels of excitement from the fans as Kabaddi.
Alternatively, even if you think that Kabaddi is not for you, at least you learned a few cool facts about a sport that few people outside of India know about, and you will now look like a genius if this topic ever happens to come up in conversation. Catch you in the next one.
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