Asian Games 2026: India Men's Kabaddi Team Defeats Iran 40-34 To Claim Ninth Continental Crown
The Indian men's kabaddi team captured its ninth continental crown by defeating Iran 40-34 in a thrilling Asian Games 2026 final at Aichi's Tokai Citizen Gymnasium. India has now won nine of ten historical titles, with only Jakarta 2018 interrupting their run. The tense final saw early momentum swing back and forth. After Iran edged ahead 18-17 at halftime following an intense opening half, India turned the tide after the break. Defensive anchors like Sumit delivered crunching tackles, and a decisive all-out pushed India ahead 29-24. Despite late resistance from Shadloui, smart game management and raids by Arjun Deshwal secured the victory. Thailand and Chinese Taipei claimed the tournament bronze medals.
Gold medalist team India stand for their national anthem on the podium during the medal ceremony of the men's kabaddi at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
India's team coach Balwan Singh reacts after the men's kabaddi final against Iran at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Silver medalist team Iran pose during the medal ceremony of the men's kabaddi at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Bronze medalist team Thailand during the medal ceremony of the men's kabaddi at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Bronze medalist team Taiwan pose on the podium during the medal ceremony of the men's kabaddi at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Indian players celebrate after defeating Iran in the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Indian players celebrate after defeating Iran in the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
India's Arjun Deshwal and Iran's Amirhossein Bastami compete during the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Iran's Amirhossein Taghipour gets tackled by the Indian players during the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
India's Devank and Iran's Amirhossein Bastami compete during the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
India's Arjun Deshwal, center, attempts a tag in the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Iran's Amirmohammad Zafar Danesh attempts to break the tackle of India's Arjun Deshwal, left, and Sunil Kumar during the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
Indian players tackle an Iranian player during the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
India's Devank leaps at Iran's Fazel Atrachali during the men's kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. | Photo: AP/Mark Baker
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