A dynasty of dominance: the relentless reign of India's women's kabaddi team
In short: In the high-contact world of kabaddi, one squad has turned international competition into a personal collection of gold. From village roots to global stadiums, the Indian women's national team has established a winning streak that spans decades and multiple major championships.
Rooted in the Indian subcontinent, kabaddi is a contact sport with deep ties to rural life. The formal structure of the sport began to take shape in the mid-20th century. In 1950, the All India Kabaddi Federation was formed to develop uniform regulations, followed by the establishment of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) in 1973. These organizations provided the framework for the professionalized competition seen today. The sport's competitive landscape was further shaped when the AKFI introduced a new structure to existing regulations. This period of formalization followed the first men's national tournament, which was hosted in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The Indian women's national team has achieved unprecedented success across various disciplines, including both Standard and Circle formats. Their trophy cabinet is defined by a massive haul of World Cup titles, having secured the championship five times in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and most recently in 2025. This recent victory took place at the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between 17 and 24 November 2025, where player Sanju Devi earned the title of Most Valuable Player. The team's recent triumph in Dhaka was part of a broader period of excellence, as they have also secured four championship titles at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games during 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2017.
Beyond the World Cup, the team has dominated regional and continental stages. They have claimed four Asian Kabaddi Championship titles (2005, 2007, 2008, and 2017) and four gold medals at the Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2022, and 2026). Their dominance extends to the South Asian Games as well, with four gold medals won in 2006, 2010, 2016, and 2019. Under the leadership of head coach Tejaswini Bai and assistant coach Kavita Selvaraj, the team continues to be a powerhouse in the sport. The squad has also demonstrated consistent excellence in other formats, securing five gold medals at the Asian Games across 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: India women's national kabaddi team
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-india-women-s-national-kabaddi-team.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
