India’s kabaddi teams delivered a golden double in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, with the women beating Iran 37-34 before the men overcame the same opponents 40-34 in a pulsating final to retain their Asian Games titles.
For the men, it was a victory built on composure after a nervy first half. Trailing 17-18 at the break, Sunil Kumar’s side raised its intensity after the restart, tightening up in defence while finding greater rhythm in attack to pull away from a stubborn Iranian team.
India vs Iran, Asian Games Kabadddi Highlights
Iran had made India work for every point and threatened to turn the final into another classic between the Asian giants. But unlike the chaotic gold-medal contest at Hangzhou three years ago, India held its nerve when it mattered most.
The six-point winning margin was India’s biggest against Iran across the last three editions of the Asian Games. In Hangzhou, India had won 33-29 in a final that was overshadowed by a lengthy refereeing controversy. With the scores tied at 28-28 and just over a minute remaining, a disputed raid triggered protests from both teams and a stoppage of nearly an hour before the contest eventually resumed.
There was no such drama in Aichi-Nagoya.
Instead, India steadily took control in the second half, ensuring that Iran could not reproduce its late fightback from Hangzhou. With the title effectively secured in the closing stages, captain Sunil even gestured towards the Iranian players during the final raid, signalling that India’s job was done.
The victory extended India’s remarkable dominance in men’s kabaddi at the Asian Games. The 2026 title is their ninth gold in the event, with the only blemish coming in Jakarta in 2018, when Iran ended India’s long reign by beating them in the semi-finals. India reclaimed the crown in Hangzhou and have now successfully defended it in Aichi-Nagoya.
Earlier in the day, the women’s team had provided the first half of the golden double, beating Iran 37-34 in another tense final.
The women’s campaign had been particularly impressive. The defending champions went unbeaten through the group stage, including a 37-23 victory over Iran. They followed that with a 50-25 demolition of Japan before beating Nepal 48-24 in the semi-final.
Yet the final was anything but straightforward. Iran stayed within touching distance throughout, forcing India to rely on its experience and defensive discipline during the closing stages.
The 37-34 victory secured India’s fourth Asian Games women’s kabaddi gold and completed a memorable day for Indian kabaddi.
Two finals, two wins over Iran, and two gold medals – India’s kabaddi teams once again underlined their supremacy on the Asian stage.
– Ends
