India’s men’s kabaddi team ripped through the final in Aichi‑Nagoya, pummeling Iran 40‑34 to defend the Asian Games crown. The win added a ninth men’s gold to India’s kabaddi legacy.
The curtain‑raiser was a nail‑biter: after eight minutes the score sat 5‑5. India nudged ahead 12‑9, but Iran fought back hard, snapping the lead to 14‑13 with just five minutes left in the first half. By halftime the Iranians were up 18‑17.
The second half saw the ball swing like a pendulum. Iran surged to 21‑20 but India’s defence delivered a pivotal super‑tackle that brought the score to 21‑21. A burst of 5‑point all‑out later, India was up 29‑24 with ten minutes on the board – a margin that held.
India’s strategy sharpened. After the 29‑24 break they kept the pressure, extending the lead to 34‑28 before sealing the win at 40‑34. The final tally not only gave India a clean sweep – men and women both beating Iran – but also raised the country’s medal count to 28, four golds, 11 silvers and 13 bronzes, keeping India inside the top‑10.
The women’s side had already set the tone earlier that day, beating Iran 37‑34 to defend their title. Their success added a fourth gold for India at the Games.
With the Asian Games double secured, the next big test for India’s kabaddi squad is the 2027 World Cup, where they’ll face the same Iranian challengers yet again.