India strikes Gold in Kabaddi, beats Iran with a stellar 40-34 at Asian Games
Sukhminder Bhangoo
Aichi-Nagoya (Japan), September 26, 2026: India defeated Iran 40-34 in the men’s kabaddi final to win the gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Saturday.
The victory saw India reclaim the Asian Games men’s kabaddi title after finishing with a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta Games.
Men’s kabaddi has been part of the Asian Games programme since 1990. India has now won the men’s gold medal nine times in 10 editions, with Iran taking the title in 2018.
India had also won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, making the Aichi-Nagoya victory its latest success in the continental competition.
India completes Kabaddi golden double
India also won the women’s kabaddi gold medal on the same day, defeating Iran 37-34 in the final.
With victories in both the men’s and women’s competitions, India completed a golden double in kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games.
The two victories further extend India’s strong record in Asian Games kabaddi.