India Win Men’s and Women’s Kabaddi Gold at Asian Games 2026
Quick answer: India won both kabaddi gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 26 September. The women defeated Iran 37-34 in the final, and the men later beat Iran 40-34. Both Indian teams successfully defended the titles they had won at the previous Asian Games.
Asian Games 2026 kabaddi gold-medal results
| Event | Gold | Silver | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s kabaddi | India | Iran | 37-34 |
| Men’s kabaddi | India | Iran | 40-34 |
The two finals were played at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture. Kabaddi at these Games ran from 21 to 26 September, with group play followed by semi-finals and the two gold-medal matches.
India women beat Iran 37-34 to retain kabaddi gold
India’s women completed an unbeaten Asian Games campaign with a 37-34 victory over Iran. India led 22-16 at half-time, but Iran fought back in the second half and kept the final close until the finish.
The victory gave India a fourth women’s kabaddi gold at the Asian Games. The women’s event was introduced in 2010; India won in 2010, 2014, 2022 and now 2026, with Iran winning the 2018 title.
Before the final, India had beaten Bangladesh, Iran and Japan in the group stage and Nepal in the semi-final. That run meant the defending champions reached the title match without a defeat.
India men beat Iran 40-34 after second-half turnaround
The men’s final was also India against Iran. Iran held an 18-17 half-time lead, but India turned the match around after the interval and finished with a 40-34 victory.
The result made India nine-time Asian Games champions in men’s kabaddi. India had won the first seven editions of the men’s competition from 1990 through 2014, took bronze in 2018, reclaimed gold at Hangzhou, and successfully defended that title in Aichi-Nagoya.
India’s men had started their 2026 campaign with a 49-24 win over hosts Japan and progressed through the tournament to set up another major final against Iran.
Why the 2026 kabaddi double matters
The double confirms that both defending champions successfully retained their Asian Games titles in the same edition. It also adds another chapter to the long India-Iran rivalry that has shaped elite Asian kabaddi, particularly in the knockout rounds and finals.
For readers following India’s wider campaign, see the KhelGuru Sports Blog. You can also read our coverage of the India men’s badminton team at Asian Games 2026.
How kabaddi worked at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
Ten men’s teams and eight women’s teams were divided into groups. The top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals. There was no separate bronze-medal match; the losing semi-finalists received bronze medals. The women’s and men’s finals were both held on 26 September.
Frequently asked questions
Did India win both kabaddi gold medals at the Asian Games 2026?
Yes. India won the women’s final 37-34 against Iran and the men’s final 40-34 against Iran on 26 September 2026.
Who did India beat in the men’s kabaddi final?
India defeated Iran 40-34 in the men’s gold-medal match.
Who did India beat in the women’s kabaddi final?
India defeated Iran 37-34 in the women’s gold-medal match.
How many Asian Games kabaddi golds have India’s teams won?
After Aichi-Nagoya 2026, India have nine gold medals in men’s kabaddi and four in women’s kabaddi.
Sources & references
- Olympics.com — India men vs Iran final report
- Olympics.com — Asian Games 2026 kabaddi scores and results
- The Indian Express — India women vs Iran final
- Pro Kabaddi — schedule, venue and competition format
About the Author
Subham Sarkar contributes sports knowledge and equipment-guide content for KhelGuru. This article reports the verified Asian Games 2026 kabaddi results using current published sources.
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