Mudasir Maqbool
New Delhi : India retained the men’s kabaddi gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, defeating Iran 40-34 in a thrilling final in Aichi.Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.
The Indian team produced a strong second half performance after Iran led 18-17 at the interval. India gradually took control of the contest and pulled away in the closing stages to secure a six point victory.
The victory marks India’s ninth Asian Games gold medal in men’s kabaddi, further extending its record in the continental competition. Iran finished with the silver medal.
The triumph also completed a golden double for India in kabaddi at the Aichi Nagoya Games, with the Indian women’s team earlier defeating Iran 37-34 in their final.
India had entered the tournament as defending champions and began its campaign with a 49-24 victory over hosts Japan before registering a 63-31 win over South Korea in the group stage.
The men’s gold adds another major medal to India’s campaign at the 20th Asian Games and underlines the country’s continued success in kabaddi at the continental level.
