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Even if everyone wanted to, the world will never forget the gold medal match from the Asian Games’ last day. In a highly contested men’s kabaddi championship between two bitter opponents, India and Iran, there was a dispute over a point that led to a lengthy referral that resulted in the temporary stoppage of the game.
The Indian coaching team and players, including skipper Pawan Sehrawat, engaged in verbal combat with the judging panel during the deadlock, with the involvement of officials from the Asian as well as International Kabaddi Federation. India ultimately won the case, and thanks to a 33-29 victory, the men in blue were able to recover their position atop the podium.
The Iranians remained still a few centimetres below them, their silver medals dangling from their necks like albatrosses.
Edachery Bhaskaran, the head coach of the Indian team, is still recovering from a fever he contracted as a result of all the fighting. He said, “I’ve been popping Dolos to stay on my feet,” the veteran kabaddi coach told Sportstar from Hangzhou.. One can detect fatigue and even disappointment from his voice, but no trace of regret.”
With barely more than a minute and thirty seconds remaining and the scores knotted at 28–28, Pawan attempted a do-or-die raid, in which the raider must choose a point by touch or bonus. Amirhossein Bastami, an Iranian defender, erred as Pawan went down the right wing and forced him to step out of the mat.
Having a group of defenders closing in on him, Pawan attempted to go back to the centre but moved inside the lobby without being touched. The four defenders who were chasing him entered the lobby as well.
According to current international kabaddi regulations, a raider who enters the lobby without being touched loses his position on the mat. Defenders must go to the sides if they enter the lobby without touching the raider.
The head coach said, “Pawan stepping off gives Iran a point, yes. But the four defenders who followed him, plus Bastami stepping out, gave India a total of five points if you follow the rule.”
