Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian tradition, has a rich history that dates back over 4,000 years. Known for its combination of agility, strength, and strategic gameplay, kabaddi is widely played across the country, from rural areas to urban centres. The sport gained significant recognition when it was included in the Asian Games in 1990, where India has consistently dominated, winning numerous gold medals.
Kabaddi’s popularity surged further with the introduction of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in 2014, a professional league that brought the sport to mainstream television and attracted international attention. The PKL has successfully elevated the status of kabaddi, creating new stars and a massive fan following.
India has also hosted several international kabaddi tournaments, including the Kabaddi World Cup, further cementing its position as the global hub for the sport.
The Kabaddi World Cup is an international competition in the sport of kabaddi, featuring two distinct styles: standard style and circle style. Both versions celebrate the traditional sport that has its roots in ancient India, but have different rules and playing formats.
Read More: Pro Kabaddi League Winners List from 2014 to 2024
Kabaddi World Cup Winners List ( Circle Style )
The circle style, governed by the Punjab Kabaddi Association, is typically played on a circular field and has its own set of rules differing from the standard version. This style is more popular in the rural areas of Punjab and other regions of South Asia. Circle style kabaddi features teams of eight players and places a greater emphasis on strength and physical prowess.
The format of the Circle Style involves a round robin group stage, with 4 teams in 2 pools, first and second of each group progress to the semi-finals.
| Year | Host | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
| 2010 | Ludhiana | India | 58-24 | Pakistan |
| 2011 | Ludhiana | India | 59-25 | Canada |
| 2012 | Ludhiana | India | 59-22 | Pakistan |
| 2013 | Ludhiana | India | 48-39 | Pakistan |
| 2014 | Sri Muktsar Sahib | India | 45-42 | Pakistan |
| 2016 | Jalalabad, Fazilka | India | 62-20 | England |
| 2020 | Lahore | Pakistan | 43-41 | India |
Total Kabaddi World Cup Winners List (Standard Style)
The standard style, regulated by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), follows the rules commonly seen in professional leagues and international matches. This version is played on a rectangular court with seven players per team. Matches are known for their tactical gameplay, where teams score points by raiding the opponent’s half and tagging as many defenders as possible without getting caught.
The inaugural standard style Kabaddi World Cup was held in 2004, with subsequent editions in 2007, 2016, and the upcoming tournament scheduled for 2025 in the West Midlands, UK. India has been the dominant force in this format, having won all three editions so far.
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In 2012, India hosted the inaugural Kabaddi World Cup for women. The current format of the competition features a round-robin group stage with two pools of five teams each. The top two teams from each pool advance to the semi-finals.
| Year | Host | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
| 2004 | Mumbai | India | 55-27 | Iran |
| 2007 | Panvel | India | 29-19 | Iran |
| 2016 | Ahmedabad | India | 38-29 | Iran |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kabaddi World Cup, in both its standard and circle styles, highlights the sport’s versatility and cultural significance. Each format brings out different facets of athleticism and skill, making kabaddi a unique and exciting sport on the global stage.
Further Read: Pro Kabaddi League 2021 All Teams, Captains, Owners and Players List
FAQs about Kabaddi World Cup Winners List
Q) What are the two styles of the Kabaddi World Cup?
A) The Kabaddi World Cup features two distinct styles: standard style and circle style.
Q) Who are the winners of the Standard Style Kabaddi World Cup?
A) 2004: India defeated Iran with a score of 55-27. 2007: India defeated Iran with a score of 29-19. 2016: India defeated Iran with a score of 38-29.
Q) Which is the most successful team in the Kabaddi World Cup?
A) India is the most successful team in both the standard style and circle style Kabaddi World Cup. India has won all editions of the standard style Kabaddi World Cup and multiple editions of the circle style Kabaddi World Cup.
Q) When was the Kabaddi World Cup started?
A) The Kabaddi World Cup started in 2004 for the standard style, regulated by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF). The first Circle Style Kabaddi World Cup was organized in 2010.
Q) What is the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)?
A) The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is a professional kabaddi league in India, introduced in 2014. It significantly boosted kabaddi’s popularity by bringing the sport to mainstream television.
The league attracted international attention, created new stars, and developed a massive fan following, elevating kabaddi’s status both in India and globally.
