Countdown to Kabbadi Word Cup 2016: Some interesting facts about two time runners up Iran

Ahmedabad: Iran, the runners up of the last two editions of the Kabaddi world cup which can pose the toughest challenge to host and defending champion India during the world cup 2016 to be held from October 7 in this commercial capital of Gujarat, will once again won’t face its arch rivals (India) in the league rounds.

In the last two editions also the two strongest contenders were in different pools and had their first encounter in the form of finals only. This time round also the two teams are in different pools.

India will start the proceedings on October 7, as they play the tournament opener against South Korea while Iran will start its campaign the same day by taking on the USA.

India had defeated Iran easily by 55-22 in the first Kabaddi world cup (international format) in Mumbai in 2004, in the second edition held in Panvel in Raigad district of Maharashtra 2007 the two teams again reached the finals and have comparatively a tougher fight with India again lifting the cup by beating Iran 29-19, Bangladesh was at the third place in both the editions while Japan was at the fourth place in the last edition Canada remained at the fourth spot in the first one.

The third edition of Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad organised by International Kabaddi Federation will see a participation of 12 teams – India, Iran, Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Kenya, England, USA, Thailand, Poland, and Argentina – battling it out for the world title.

India, which is also 7 times Asian Games winner,will be in pool A with South Korea, Australia, England, Bangladesh and Argentina While Iran with Thailand, Japan, the USA, Poland and Kenya is in Pool B. The tournament will be played in a round robin league format, followed by semi-finals on October 21 and final on the next day ie October 22.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM IRAN

Like India, Kabaddi is a traditional sport in Iran and is historically known as Zou

– The Iranians known for producing world class Wrestlers, have brought the traits of wrestling in their style of Kabaddi

– Iran’s style of Kabaddi is predominantly based on features of wrestling, specifically going for low-attacks in defense and forceful grip techniques using maximum explosive power

– Their tackles are intense because of the influence of wrestling where ‘Grip’ is very critical

– India plays a more tactical game while Iran believes in playing Kabaddi with intense energ which makes them a strong contender and the major rival in the tournament

– Because of this Iran has given India a tough challenge in the Asian Games of 2010 & 2014, where India are undisputed Champions from 1990

– In the Asian Games of 2014, Iran were leading 21-13 at half time and the match almost slipped away from India’s grasp but because of inexperience they allowed India to make a comeback and lost by mere 2 points

– Between the last Asian Games and this World Cup, Kabaddi has taken a new leap because of 4 seasons of Pro Kabaddi League

– After India’s players, the best players come from Iran and they are really good in defence. Fazel Atrachali of Iran team who plays for Patna Pirates in the Pro Kabaddi League (Champion of the season 3 and 4 ) got the best defenders award in Season 4.

– Also other players like Meraj Sheykh has been impressive in the last 4 seasons of PKL

– Iranian players know India’s raiders very well and are well acquainted with their skills which makes them a tough opponent

Individual stats

· Fazel Atrachali, who was voted as the best defender in PKL-4, performs very well against India’s raiders. Out of the 22 raids he faced from India’s top raiders he successfully defended 12 which is a defence success rate of more than 50%.

· Fazel is particularly successful against Anup Kumar, Ajay Thakur, Deepak Hooda & Rahul Chaudhari. He has a defence success rate of 75%, 100%, 66.67% & 42.86% respectively against them.

· Meraj Sheykh has a high defence success rate against Pardeep Narwal of 66.67%

· Hadi Oshtorak has a high defence success rate against Deepak Hooda of 66.67%

· Meraj Sheykh has a high success rate of raiding against one of India’s best defenders, Mohit Chhillar of 66.67%

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