India Complete Kabaddi Golden Sweep at Asian Games 2026
India achieves a golden sweep in kabaddi at the Asian Games 2026, with both men's and women's teams defeating Iran in thrilling finals.
India achieved a historic double victory in kabaddi at the Asian Games 2026, securing gold medals in both the men's and women's categories. In high-octane finals held at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, both Indian squads overcame a fierce challenge from Iran to assert their dominance on the continental stage.
Women's Team Defends Title in Nail-Biting Final
The Indian women's team successfully defended their crown with a hard-fought 37-34 victory over Iran. Unlike the dominant performances seen earlier in the tournament, this final was a see-saw battle that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
India controlled much of the first half, leading 22-16. This advantage was built on 16 out points and a crucial All-Out. While Iran managed to stay within striking distance by picking up eight bonus points, they struggled to convert that momentum into a significant scoreboard lead before the break.
The second half saw Iran fight back aggressively, outscoring India 18-15 in the period. The gap narrowed to just a single point at 27-26 after Iran successfully executed an All-Out. However, the Indian women showed immense composure under pressure:
- Sanju Devi delivered a momentum-shifting super raid.
- Captain Pushpa Rana secured an All-Out to regain control.
- Pooja exploited gaps in the Iranian defense to extend the lead.
Despite Iran's late efforts, including a Super Tackle, India held firm to claim their third gold medal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Men's Team Clinches Record Ninth Gold
The men's final was equally intense, featuring a dramatic second-half comeback that saw India defeat Iran 40-34. This victory marks a record ninth Asian Games gold medal for India in this discipline.
The match began as a tactical duel. India's attack was spearheaded by Arjun Deshwal and Devank Dalal, while Sunil Kumar provided immediate defensive strength with a vital Super Tackle. However, Iran's Amirmohammad Zafar Danesh managed to swing the momentum in favor of the Iranian side, leading them to an 18-17 advantage at halftime.
The Turning Point
India entered the second half with renewed energy, shifting the pressure onto Iran through disciplined defensive maneuvers. The comeback was fueled by several key moments:
- Sumit and Jaideep combined for a crucial Super Tackle on Ali Samadi.
- Aslam Inamdar leveled the scores with a successful do-or-die raid.
- Arjun Deshwal broke through the formidable defense of Iran's captain, Fazel Atrachali, setting up an All-Out that gave India a five-point cushion.
As the clock ticked down, India's defense became impenetrable. Sumit delivered a decisive back hold on Zafar Danesh, and Rahul Sethpal provided critical tackles to shut down Iran's final attempts. The victory cements India's status as the undisputed powerhouse of Asian kabaddi.