India defeat Iran 40-34 in a thrilling final as men’s team joins women’s side in winning gold at Aichi-Nagoya Games
Tokai, Sept 2026 : India strengthened their dominance in Asian Games kabaddi by clinching a record-extending ninth men’s gold medal with a hard-fought 40-34 victory over Iran in the final at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium on Saturday.
The Indian men’s team followed the women’s side in securing the yellow metal after a thrilling contest against a strong Iranian outfit. The final lived up to expectations as both teams traded raids, tackles and bonus points in a closely fought encounter.
Neither side managed to establish a significant advantage during the opening half. Iran, however, produced a crucial all-out just before the interval to take an 18-17 lead into the break.
Iran collected 14 points through successful outs, along with a bonus point and a super-tackle point in the first half. India’s defence remained effective, earning two super-tackle points, while their other points came through 11 outs, three bonus points and a technical point.
The second half began with the two teams level at 20-20, setting up a tense finish. India gradually began to seize control through their defence, with Sumit producing important thigh tackles to restrict the Iranian raiders.
India eventually managed to inflict an all-out on Iran, with Rahul making a crucial tackle that helped the defending champions open a 29-24 advantage.
The Indian team maintained its composure thereafter, combining effective raids with disciplined defending. Iran continued to fight for a comeback, but India kept the pressure on and eventually closed out the contest 40-34.
The victory secured India’s ninth men’s kabaddi gold in Asian Games history and added another medal to the country’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
The men’s triumph came after India’s women’s kabaddi team also successfully defended its Asian Games title against Iran.
Earlier, the Indian women defeated the 2018 champions 37-34 in another closely contested final to claim their fourth Asian Games gold medal in the event.
The Indian women established control early and took a 22-16 lead into the half-time break. Iran responded strongly after the interval, scoring 18 points to India’s 15 in the second half and putting the defending champions under considerable pressure.
India, however, had built enough of a cushion in the opening half to withstand Iran’s late challenge. The 37-34 victory secured the women’s fourth kabaddi gold at the Asian Games.
With both men’s and women’s teams finishing on top of the podium, India completed a memorable day in kabaddi at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. The twin victories also underlined the country’s long-standing presence at the top level of Asian kabaddi.
