India beat Iran to retain men’s Asian Games kabaddi gold

India’s men defeated Iran 40-34 in the Asian Games kabaddi final on September 26, retaining the title and earning the country’s fourth gold medal of the 2026 Games. The victory gave India its ninth men’s kabaddi gold at the Asian Games and completed a same-day double after the Indian women beat Iran 37-34 in their final. Iran led 18-17 at halftime and extended its advantage to 20-17 early in the second half, according to match accounts. India then moved ahead 21-20. The contest remained close until an Indian all-out pushed the team five points clear at 29-24 with about 10 minutes remaining. India maintained its advantage to finish six points ahead. The result retained a title India had reclaimed at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, after Iran won the men’s gold in 2018. India had won eight previous men’s kabaddi titles, making this its ninth. Kabaddi has been part of the Asian Games since 1990. India reached the final after topping Pool A and beating Thailand 66-28 in the semifinal. Iran advanced with a 59-21 semifinal win over Chinese Taipei. The final brought together the two teams that had contested the 2018 title, when India finished outside the top two.