The Men’s Regu team of India created history by winning the first medal in Sepak Takraw in the form of a bronze at the Asian Games 2018. India lost to Thailand 0-2 but picked up a bronze as both the losing semifinalists are awarded a medal.
Sepak’ is the Malay word for ‘kick’ and ‘Takraw’ is the Thai word for ‘woven ball’. It is basically a footvolley game where one team has to win three games faster than the opposing team. The regu team consists of three members whereas the double regu team has two players in each team. The net is 1.52 metres above the ground. The players have to get the ball above the net with enough power to land it on the ground before it is controlled by the opponent. A team can only take three touches of the ball before it must go over the net.
India had defeated Iran 21-16, 19-21, 21-17 in the first match to make a winning start to their campaign. At the bronze medal win of India team.sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathor tweeted, “History Created! Kudos to the Indian Sepak Takraw team. Fantastic team effort by the boys!”