An Interview with Christy Tai, Defender, Hong Kong China China Women’s Kabaddi Team 

As the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 draws closer, we caught up with Christy Tai, a key player for the Hong Kong China women’s team. Christy opened up about her unique introduction to kabaddi, her experiences as a defender, and her aspirations as she prepares for her second World Cup. Here’s what she had to say. 

Discovering Kabaddi 

Christy’s kabaddi story began in 2019, almost by accident. At the time, she was working on a university project. “I was doing a cultural diversity dissertation and decided to research online. And… I saw Kabaddi… I was just very shocked to know that there’s this a sport that exists in the world that I’ve never heard of before.” 

Curiosity led her to watch kabaddi videos online. “The videos were actually a bit shocking… it’s more intensive than rugby, which made me want to see it in real life.” Soon after, she attended a kabaddi fun day, which left a lasting impression. “I went there with the expectation that I wanted to do my homework well… but when I went for the fun day, I was very impressed.” 

Becoming a Defender 

Although kabaddi intrigued Christy, she didn’t immediately commit to it. However, when an unexpected opportunity arose to join the team for the 2019 World Cup, she decided to take the leap. “I feel like I can give it a go… And then suddenly, I substituted for another player who was injured and found myself on the team.” 

Her preparation period was intense and challenging. “That two months was a very difficult period for me and during my first competition, I didn’t feel that I was able to play very well.” 

Despite the difficulties, her determination carried her through. When reflecting on those early days, Christy stated, “I left a lot of regret by that time”— but it was also the beginning of her commitment to improve as a defender. 

Mastering the Art of Defence 

Christy’s role as a defender demands precision and teamwork. “You have to make a judgment on when you will initiate a defend.” She explained that defenders need a deep understanding of their teammates. “You actually have to go with your teammate, to be able to anticipate each other’s timing and when you’re going to go for it or when you’ll step back.” 

She also elaborated on some essential defensive techniques. “As a defender, you still have to be familiar with the tackle and how to team up with the corners, and then try to make sure the people don’t go back to the middle line.” 

Looking Ahead to the World Cup 

Now preparing for her second Kabaddi World Cup, Christy is motivated to showcase her growth as a player. “I really want to show myself that I improve a lot during these years.” However, her optimism is tempered by the challenges the Hong Kong China team faces. “Unfortunately, several teammates are not able to attend this time. But our wish is that we can really enjoy the competition and we can improve on our past performances.” 

Christy is particularly eager for the chance to play against India. “Their athletes will be the best kabaddi players. Whilst that is daunting, I’m also excited to see the difference in Kabaddi level.” 

Promoting Kabaddi in Hong Kong China 

For Christy, one of the most rewarding aspects of kabaddi is introducing it to others. “We actually do a lot of promotions in secondary schools and we also partner with a lot of Community centres.” She expressed particular pride in working with ethnic minority communities. “They are very, very happy that Hong Kong China has a team that play their childhood games.” 

When asked how she would encourage newcomers to try kabaddi, Christy was straightforward. “They would have to train very hard because kabaddi is a very fast paced body contact sport. It is very intensive and, to be honest, very easy to get injuries… But we just want more people to join.” 

Cheer for Hong Kong China! 

Christy Tai’s story embodies the resilience, passion, and spirit that make kabaddi so special. Watch Christy and the Hong Kong China kabaddi team take to the mat at the Kabaddi World Cup 2025! 

Follow the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 on social media, track their progress, and show your support. Let’s rally behind the stars who are keeping this thrilling sport alive and growing!