Aichi-Nagoya: India clinched the men’s Kabaddi gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Iran 39-32 in a closely contested final on Saturday.
The victory saw India successfully defend the men’s Kabaddi title won at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. The final was another meeting between two of the strongest teams in Asian Games Kabaddi, with India and Iran facing each other in the men’s final for the fourth time.
India Overcome Iran in High-Intensity Final
The Indian men’s team faced a tough challenge from Iran in the gold-medal clash. The contest remained competitive before India pulled ahead to secure a 39-32 victory.
The result restored India’s position at the top of the men’s Kabaddi podium after the team had lost its long-standing Asian Games winning streak at the 2018 Jakarta edition. India had reclaimed the men’s gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
India Continue Strong Asian Games Kabaddi Record
Kabaddi has traditionally been one of India’s strongest sports at the Asian Games. The men’s team had won seven consecutive gold medals before finishing fourth in 2018, when Iran claimed the title.
India then returned to the top at Hangzhou and entered the 2026 edition as the defending champions. The men’s gold in Aichi-Nagoya adds another title to India’s strong record in the continental competition.
India’s women’s Kabaddi team also defeated Iran in the final earlier on Saturday, completing a successful day for Indian Kabaddi at the Asian Games.
India Complete Kabaddi Gold Double
The two victories over Iran gave India gold medals in both the men’s and women’s Kabaddi events at the 2026 Asian Games.
The men’s triumph also marked another chapter in India’s long-running rivalry with Iran in Asian Games Kabaddi, with the two sides repeatedly meeting in title clashes.