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Nagoya
India completed a golden double in kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday as the men’s team defeated Iran 40-34 in the final to retain its title, hours after the women’s side also overcame Iran 37-34 to defend their gold. The victories gave India both kabaddi titles at the Games and marked the men’s ninth Asian Games kabaddi gold overall.
The men’s final was closely contested, with Iran matching India through much of the opening half. The teams were level at 20-20 before India began to create a decisive advantage in the second half. Strong defensive work and timely raids helped the defending champions pull away, eventually securing a six-point victory.
India had entered the final unbeaten, having won all its group matches before defeating Thailand 66-28 in the semi-final. The title also marked a successful defence of the gold won at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
The victory carried additional significance given the rivalry between the two teams. Iran had ended India’s seven-edition winning streak in men’s kabaddi at the 2018 Jakarta Games, where India finished fourth. India regained the title at Hangzhou and has now successfully defended it in Aichi-Nagoya.
Earlier in the day, India’s women had secured the first half of the golden double with a 37-34 victory over Iran. India led 22-16 at half-time, but Iran mounted a strong second-half comeback. The Indian defence, however, held on to secure a three-point win and a second consecutive women’s title.
The women’s triumph was India’s fourth Asian Games gold in the event. Both Indian teams completed unbeaten campaigns, defeating the same opponent in their respective finals and adding two gold medals to India’s growing medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.