India successfully defended their kabaddi title at the Asian Games 2026, defeating Iran 37-34 in a closely contested final held on September 26, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This victory marked the country’s third gold medal at the tournament, building on their success from the previous Hangzhou edition. The match showcased a tense atmosphere, especially in the final moments, as both teams fought fiercely for supremacy.

As the clock ticked down to the last minute, the Iranian team put up a concerted effort for a comeback, putting pressure on the Indian defence. They found themselves needing crucial points to stay in the game, but India’s defenders managed to execute a decisive tackle on Aynaz, effectively securing the gold medal for their team.

This victory adds to India’s growing medal tally, bringing it to 27, which includes three gold, eleven silver, and thirteen bronze medals. At that point, India was ranked twelfth in the overall standings.

Key Performers and Team Composition

Sanju Devi stood out as a vital player for the Indian women’s kabaddi team, demonstrating remarkable skill and resilience throughout the tournament. Alongside her, other key players included Pooja, Raj Rani, Sonali Vishnu Shingate, Pushpa, Bhavna Devi, Ritu, Ritu Negi, Manisha Kumari, Pinki Roy, Jyoti, and Nikita, all contributing to the successful campaign.

The collaborative efforts of the team were crucial in maintaining their defensive strategy and executing their plans effectively against a formidable Iranian side. The synergy and determination exhibited by the players reflected their commitment to reclaiming the gold medal.

The Indian men’s kabaddi team was scheduled to compete later that day in the men’s gold medal match against the same Iranian squad, creating a sense of anticipation for another thrilling encounter.

Other Achievements on the Day of Finals

On the same day, Sawan Barwal earned a silver medal in the men’s marathon, clocking a national record time of 2:11:37. This achievement ended a 44-year wait for an Indian athlete to secure a medal in the marathon category at the Asian Games.

In shooting, the Indian women’s team comprising Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen, and Vidarsa Vinod managed to secure a silver medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event. Individually, Tilottama finished fourth, and Vidarsa finished fifth in the individual finals.

Squash also contributed to India’s medal tally, with Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar clinching a bronze medal after their mixed doubles team lost to Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi in the semifinal. In addition to these events, archery showcased impressive qualifications with Dhiraj Bommadevara leading the men’s recurve qualification, achieving a score of 698, while Chikitha Taniparthi topped the women’s compound qualification with 705 points.

In badminton, Unnati Hooda advanced to the next round by defeating Malaysia’s Wong Ling China, while Animesh Kujur led his men’s 200m heat, qualifying for the semi-finals. Furthermore, India’s fencing teams had earlier victories, with the women’s foil team beating Indonesia 45-24 and the men’s sabre team defeating the Philippines 45-27, although both teams exited in the quarter-finals.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share