NAGOYA, Sept 26: India’s men’s kabaddi team held its nerve in a high-pressure final to defeat Iran 39-35 and retain the Asian Games gold medal at Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday.
In a final that lived up to the fierce rivalry between the two Asian kabaddi powerhouses, India were pushed all the way by Iran but produced the decisive moments when it mattered most to walk away with another gold.
The 39-35 victory not only confirmed India’s supremacy in the sport but also handed the defending champions another memorable triumph over Iran on the Asian Games stage.
It was a repeat of the 2023 Hangzhou final, where India had also defeated Iran to claim the gold medal.
The latest encounter again underlined the narrow margins that separate the two sides. Iran refused to allow India an easy passage, matching the defending champions’ intensity and keeping the contest alive deep into the final.
India, however, remained composed under pressure.
With every raid and defensive stop carrying enormous significance, the Indian players kept their structure and found enough points to stay ahead before closing out a 39-35 victory.
The gold is particularly significant for India’s long-standing Asian Games record in men’s kabaddi. The country has been one of the dominant forces in the competition since the sport’s introduction to the Asian Games programme, and the Aichi-Nagoya triumph adds another chapter to that remarkable record.
India had entered the final after a commanding semi-final performance against Thailand, cruising to a 66-28 victory. Iran, meanwhile, secured its place in the title clash to set up another India-Iran showdown for Asian Games gold.
The final was always expected to be a different proposition — and it was.
Unlike India’s comfortable semi-final, Iran tested the defending champions in virtually every phase. The contest became a battle of patience, execution and temperament, with neither side willing to surrender ground.
India’s ability to absorb the pressure and deliver in the crucial exchanges eventually proved decisive.
The victory also completes a memorable day for Indian kabaddi.
Earlier, the Indian women’s team successfully defended its Asian Games title after defeating Iran 37-34 in the women’s final. With both teams finishing on top of the podium, India completed a golden double in kabaddi at Aichi-Nagoya.
For India’s men, however, the spotlight belongs to a hard-earned 39-35 victory — one that required more than dominance.
And when the final whistle sounded, India had once again stood tallest against Iran.
India 39-35 Iran
