India’s men’s kabaddi squad walked onto the mat in Japan with hunger in their eyes and a single focus: gold. 40‑34, the scoreboard read, and the roar from the crowd could almost drown out the silence of a team that’d foregone a proper pre‑match meal in pursuit of the title.
In the first 20 minutes, the Indians trailed 17‑18, but the clock’s ticking became a catalyst. With ten minutes left, Arjun Deshwal slipped past Iran’s captain Fazel Atrachali, sparking an all‑out that lifted India five points ahead. Sumit’s crucial tackle on Amirmohammad Zafar Danesh and Rahul Sethpal’s late‑game smother sealed the momentum shift.
The captain, Pawan Sehrawat, never let the scorecard dictate his emotions. He’d traded a full stomach for a focused mind, saying “Khali pet gold jita hai” after the final whistle. The victory also marked India’s ninth Asian Games gold in men’s kabaddi, solidifying the nation’s unbeaten streak and nudging their medal tally higher.
Behind the victory, a quiet nod to Coach Randhir Sehrawat echoed across the arena. Pawan dedicated the medal to him, urging a Dronacharya award for the man who’d turned a group of athletes into a championship‑ready unit. The flag‑bearing moment at the opening ceremony, alongside Manu Bhaker, added a layer of national pride to the triumph.
With the title secured, the team now turns its sights to defending the crown on the next international stage. India’s kabaddi squad will regroup in Mumbai before heading to the upcoming South Asian Games, where the stakes will be just as high.