India once again turned kabaddi's biggest stage into a showcase of its supremacy, completing a golden double at the Asian Games with hard-fought wins over Iran in both the men's and women's finals on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The men prevailed 40-34 in a title clash that was more controlled than the infamous, ill-tempered final three years ago, while the women held off a determined Iranian fightback to win 37-34 and retain their crown.
The result extended India's extraordinary record in the sport. The men's team claimed its ninth gold in 10 Asian Games editions, a statistic that speaks to a near-absolute chokehold on kabaddi at the continental level. For the women, the victory was equally significant, preserving the title they had won in Hangzhou and ensuring that kabaddi remained one of India's most reliable medal prospects at the Games.
An India-Iran final had been widely expected from the moment the draw was announced, and the contest unfolded as a meeting of the sport's two dominant powers. The gap between them and the rest of the field has long been substantial, and while Iran has repeatedly emerged as India's most credible challenger, the title decider still began with the familiar sense that India would need to withstand pressure rather than chase an upset.
The men's final was tight early on, with both sides trading points and showing caution in attack and defence. India's raiding responsibilities were led by Arjun Deshwal and Devank Dalal, while captain Sunil Kumar anchored the defence alongside Jaideep and Sumit. Iran responded through Amirmohammad Zafar Danesh, who completed an all-out to keep the contest finely poised, and the teams went into half-time with Iran holding a slender one-point lead.
India emerged sharper after the interval. A super tackle and a successful raid by Aslam Inamdar brought the scores level at 20-20, shifting momentum back toward the defending champions. Iran captain Fazel Atrachali and Omid Khojasteh Mohammadshah attempted to steady their side, while Ali Samadi looked to create openings through the raid, but India gradually tightened its grip. The decisive passage came when Arjun set up an all-out that opened a five-point cushion with 10 minutes remaining. From there, India controlled the finish with authority, and when the scoreboard read 39-32 with less than 20 seconds left, the gold was effectively secured before the final whistle confirmed a 40-34 victory.
If the men's final was a test of composure and control, the women's title match demanded resilience. India's women started strongly and dominated the first half, building a 22-16 lead by the break. Iran, however, refused to fade and came out aggressively after halftime, narrowing the margin and forcing India to work for every point. Pooja and Sanju Devi were central to India's response, grinding out raids one point at a time as the team protected its lead under pressure. The final margin of 37-34 reflected both India's early superiority and Iran's stubborn resistance.
Taken together, the two victories reinforced a familiar truth: kabaddi remains one of India's most dependable sources of success on the Asian Games stage. In a multi-sport environment where medal opportunities can be unpredictable, the sport continues to deliver with remarkable consistency. The double gold also highlighted the depth of India's kabaddi program, with both teams navigating finals against the same opponent and emerging with titles intact.
For Iran, the defeats will sting, particularly given the expectation that it would again be India's principal obstacle in both competitions. Yet the finals also confirmed the rivalry's enduring relevance. India may remain the dominant force, but Iran continues to provide the sternest examination of that supremacy. On this occasion, though, both Indian teams had enough quality, discipline and nerve to finish the job and leave the Asian Games with kabaddi gold in both hands.