After Women, India Men Beat Iran To Win Ninth Men’s Kabaddi Gold in Asian Games

India retained the men’s kabaddi gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, defeating Iran in the final on Saturday to claim their ninth title in the continental competition.

The victory extended India's dominance in Asian Games kabaddi after the men's team had also won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games. India had previously won seven successive men's titles before their run was interrupted at the 2018 Jakarta Games.

India’s Road To The Final

India entered the final unbeaten after topping Group A with four wins from four matches.

The campaign began with a 49-24 victory over hosts Japan before India defeated the Republic of Korea 63-31 and Bangladesh 48-25. They completed the group stage with a 37-21 win over Chinese Taipei.

Captain Sunil Kumar led an experienced squad that included vice-captain Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Ashu Malik, Devank Dalal and Aslam Inamdar.

India then produced another dominant display in the semi-final, beating Thailand 66-28 on September 25 to secure their place in the gold-medal match.

India And Iran Renew Asian Games Rivalry

Iran were the final hurdle for India in Aichi-Nagoya and brought significant history into the contest.

Iran had ended India's men's winning run at the 2018 Jakarta Games, when India finished outside the gold-medal match and Iran went on to win the title. India returned to the top at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, beating Iran in the men's final.

The two teams therefore met in another Asian Games final with India's title defence and Iran's attempt to reclaim the men's crown at stake.

Ninth Men’s Kabaddi Gold For India

India's latest triumph takes their men's Asian Games gold tally to nine.

The men's kabaddi event has been part of the Asian Games since Beijing 1990. India have won nine of the 10 men's titles contested, with Iran claiming the other gold in 2018.

The result also adds to India's overall record in Asian Games kabaddi. Before the Aichi-Nagoya men's final, India had won 11 of the 13 kabaddi gold medals available across the men's and women's events.

Women Also Defeat Iran For Gold

Earlier on Saturday, India's women's kabaddi team defeated Iran 37-34 to retain its Asian Games title.

The women's side, led by captain Pushpa Rana, had gone unbeaten through the tournament and secured its fourth Asian Games gold. India had won the women's title in 2010, 2014 and 2022, while Iran won the final in 2018.

The men's victory therefore completed a kabaddi gold double for India at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, with both teams successfully defending their titles.