The New Zealand women's Kabaddi team have landed in Malaysia to compete at the international challenge this weekend as a warm up to the World Cup in India.
New Zealand have competed at three Kabaddi world cups with a best result of second so have this time have recruited some of the country's toughest women to vie for their first title.
The indian sport of Kabaddi requires a combination of strength, speed and agility.
Often compared to the game of 'bullrush' it has no equipment, just a strategy, touch your opponent without getting touched yourself which is more complex than it sounds.
In teams of seven, a single player runs into the opposing team's half of a court, tag out as many of them as possible, and return to their own half of the court without being tackled.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
This national side was assembled only five weeks ago and will compete at the international challenge this weekend in Malaysia and former Kiwi Ferns player Kathleen Keremete says this tournament is a step towards a bigger goal.
"World Cup at the end of the year for circular outdoor Kabaddi but our hope is to go over to Singapore, put our best forward and be invited to other tournaments."
"The way the sport works is you need to be invited to tournaments."
The side has historically had a strong Kiwi Ferns rugby league influence including former captain Sarina Fiso, while others like Leilani Perese have gone on to become Black Ferns.
With the rules of this tournament changing from outdoor to indoor Keremete has gone a step further recruiting local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champions, wrestlers and mixed martial artists to impose added strength.
"Those backgrounds they are used to a one on one situation, at close quarters and fighting their way out of situations." says Keremete
"It's good for the rest of us that haven't had the luxury of being in those sports."
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
One of those is former Samoan Manusina rugby player Sally Kaokao who is fresh off winning gold at the New Zealand and Pan Pacific Brazilin jiu-jitsu Championships.
"I found the transition quite natural, I've been doing MMA for just over three years." says Kaokao
"Cage fighting, competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling - the transition is very similar to wrestling." says Kaokao
To qualify the team must be associated to a Sikh temple or governing body with the cultural aspect to the sport is just as important as the sport itself.
Although the team have performed a traditional Maori haka at past tournaments, this year the team have learnt bhangra, a traditional Indian dance, which they'll perform on the world stage as a sign of respect.
During the Kabaddi challenge New Zealand will face teams from the host nation, India, England, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
- RNZ
