A Golden Double in Nagoya
The final day of the kabaddi competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 became a golden chapter in Indian sports history. Both the men's and women's teams faced their fiercest rivals, Iran, in high-stakes finals and emerged victorious. The women's team set
the tone with a nail-biting 37-34 win, successfully defending their title from the previous games. Not to be outdone, the men's team followed suit, clinching their final with a hard-fought 40-34 scoreline, reasserting their position at the pinnacle of Asian kabaddi. This double victory is more than just a pair of medals; it's a powerful statement about the heartland of kabaddi.
Kings of the Mat: A Tense Final
The men's final was a showcase of strategy and strength. Facing a formidable Iranian side, the Indian team had to dig deep. The match was an intense affair, with the lead swinging back and forth. At halftime, India was trailing by a single point, with the score at 17-18. However, a spectacular second-half performance turned the tide. The defenders, led by the exceptional Sumit, initiated game-changing tackles that shifted the momentum. A crucial all-out inflicted on Iran gave India a five-point cushion at 29-24, a lead they skillfully managed until the final whistle. This victory was not just a defense of their Hangzhou 2023 title but also a confirmation of their legacy, marking their ninth gold medal in Asian Games history.
The Invincible Queens of Kabaddi
Earlier in the day, the Indian women's team demonstrated their own brand of champion mentality. Leading 22-16 at halftime, they appeared to be in a comfortable position. However, Iran mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap and putting immense pressure on the defending champions. With less than eight minutes to go, Iran inflicted an all-out on India, reducing the deficit to a single point. But the Indian squad, featuring stellar raiders like Pooja and Sanju Devi, held their nerve. They responded with crucial raids and disciplined defending to see out the challenge and secure a thrilling 37-34 victory. This is the women's team's fourth gold medal at the Asian Games, a testament to their sustained excellence.
A Legacy of Dominance and Redemption
This double-gold performance carries significant historical weight. The men's team has been the benchmark in the sport for decades, winning seven consecutive golds since kabaddi's introduction in 1990 before a shocking stumble at the 2018 Jakarta Games where Iran took the title. Since that setback, India has been on a path of redemption, reclaiming the top spot in Hangzhou and now successfully defending it in Nagoya. For the women, who have won gold in every edition except 2018, this victory over their primary rivals, Iran, reaffirms their status as the team to beat. The success at the Asian Games, the highest stage for the sport, resonates deeply, inspiring a new generation of players across the country.
