India Come Back to Beat Iran 40-34 and Retain Asian Games Men's Kabaddi Gold

The men's kabaddi final at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya was India against Iran again. On Saturday, 26 September at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium, India won 40-34 and kept the title they had won back in 2023.

How the final went

First half: Iran in front

Iran were the stronger team early on. Captain Fazel Atrachali made Super Tackles, and raiders Zafar Danesh and Ali Samadi Choubtarash kept scoring. According to Pro Kabaddi and Business Today, Iran also inflicted an All-Out and led 18-17 at the break.

Second half: India pull away

India tightened their defence after half-time and started converting their raids. They forced Iran into do-or-die raids and made a key All-Out about 10 minutes from the end, which gave them a five-point lead. Iran could not close the gap after that. Over the second half India outscored Iran 23-16, which turned a one-point deficit into a six-point win.

India's key players

• Arjun Deshwal led the raiding and scored steadily all match.
• Devank Dalal added more attacking threat.
• Sumit made several important tackles from the left corner.
• Jaideep and Sunil Kumar made tackles that helped swing the match.

A long rivalry

Men's kabaddi has been part of the Asian Games since 1990. India won the first seven gold medals. Iran ended that run in Jakarta in 2018. India won the title back in Hangzhou in 2023 and have now defended it, which takes them to nine golds. Pro Kabaddi reported that India went through the whole tournament unbeaten.

The men's result also gave India both kabaddi golds. Earlier on the same day, the women beat Iran 37-34 in a final that followed a similar pattern. India's women led 22-16 at half-time, according to Outlook India, and then held off a strong Iranian comeback in the second half. Iran lost both finals, which shows that the two nations are still well ahead of the rest of Asia in the sport.

The Malaysian angle

Malaysia were one of ten nations in the men's tournament. The others were Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Thailand. Malaysia went out before the medal rounds, but taking part in Asia's top kabaddi event still helps a sport that is growing in popularity with Malaysian fans.

Key takeaways

• India beat Iran 40-34 in the men's kabaddi final on 26 September.
• Iran led 18-17 at half-time, and India pulled away in the second half.
• It is India's ninth Asian Games men's kabaddi gold. India also won the women's gold.
• Malaysia was one of ten nations in the men's tournament.

FAQ

Q: Who won the men's kabaddi gold at the 2026 Asian Games? A: India. They beat Iran 40-34 in the final.

Q: How many Asian Games men's kabaddi golds has India won? A: Nine since the sport was added in 1990. Iran won in 2018.

Q: Where were the kabaddi matches played? A: At the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Sources: Pro Kabaddi, Business Today, Outlook India, Wikipedia