Long before packed arenas, television broadcasts and the glamour of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Kabaddi was steadily building an international identity. The sport’s journey from village mud courts to global franchise competition was made possible by pioneers who introduced Kabaddi to new audiences and inspired players across different countries.
These Kabaddi legends before PKL and early international stars helped lay the foundation for the modern game.
Who did the first international presentation of kabaddi?
A common question among fans is: who did the first international presentation of Kabaddi?
The first major international presentation of Kabaddi took place during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It was organized by the Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (HVPM) of Amravati, Maharashtra.
A 35 member Indian contingent travelled to Germany to demonstrate traditional Indian sports, including Kabaddi. Although it was not an official Olympic event, the exhibition attracted significant attention from spectators, athletes and officials from around the world.
The fast-paced action, athleticism and teamwork displayed during the demonstrations introduced Kabaddi to an international audience for the very first time. That historic trip became the first major step in taking the sport beyond India’s borders.
Kabaddi continued its international journey by appearing as a demonstration sport at the 1951 Asian Games and again at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi before finally becoming an official medal event at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
Kabaddi Legends Before PKL
Several Kabaddi legends before PKL shaped the sport long before professional leagues existed.
Balaram Lande was one of the finest raiders of the 1970s and 1980s. His quick movement and tactical awareness helped modernize the rectangular style of Kabaddi.
Another influential figure was Ramesh Bhendigiri, who became famous for his outstanding defensive skills. His approach to chain tackles and coordinated defending influenced many of the techniques still seen in today’s game.
Shantaram Jadhav, an Arjuna Award winner in 1980, earned a reputation as one of India’s greatest all-rounders. His performances during the mud court era inspired a generation of players.
Moving closer to the PKL era, Navneet Gautam emerged as one of India’s most successful defenders. He captained India to multiple Asian Games gold medals and later represented the Jaipur Pink Panthers during the inaugural PKL season, helping connect the traditional era with professional Kabaddi.
Early International Kabaddi Players
The growth of the sport also depended on pioneering early international Kabaddi players who proved that Kabaddi could flourish outside South Asia.
Japan’s Masayuki Shimokawa became one of the country’s most respected Kabaddi players after regularly travelling to India to train. His dedication showed that athletes from different backgrounds could master the sport.
Bangladesh, where Kabaddi is the national sport, produced several outstanding players including Ziaur Rahman and Badsha Miah. Their aggressive style and competitive performances against India helped strengthen international rivalries throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Iran also became a major force before the PKL era. Mostafa Nourozi was among the pioneers of Iran’s rise, bringing wrestling-based defensive techniques that challenged India’s long standing dominance. That generation eventually paved the way for future stars like Fazel Atrachali to become global icons.
A Bridge to the Modern Game
Without these early pioneers, the Pro Kabaddi League may never have attracted such widespread international interest. Their performances in exhibitions, Asian Games and international tournaments proved that Kabaddi could succeed far beyond its traditional roots.
Today, players from countries such as Iran, Japan, Bangladesh and several others compete alongside Indian stars in professional leagues. Their success is a lasting tribute to the early international icons who helped transform Kabaddi into the global sport it has become.
