India reasserted its absolute dominance in Asian kabaddi on Saturday, as the men’s national team produced a commanding performance to defeat arch-rivals Iran in the gold medal final at the 2026 Asian Games.
The victory capped a big day for Indian sports, matching the gold won by the women’s kabaddi team hours earlier. The twin wins brought India’s overall gold tally to four at the Asian Games in Japan.
In a high-intensity final against a formidable Iranian squad known for its tactical defence and physical raiding, the Indian team maintained sharp composure. Precise raiding combined with disciplined tackles allowed India to control the pace of the mat throughout the crucial phases of the contest.
Following the final whistle, the Indian players wrapped themselves in the tricolour national flag, celebrating a performance that reinforces the nation’s historical legacy in the sport. The dual gold sweep across both men’s and women’s categories highlights India’s ongoing regional supremacy and technical excellence in international kabaddi.
