India retain Asian Games men’s kabaddi title with win over Iran
India defeated Iran 40-34 in the men’s kabaddi final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to claim a ninth gold medal in the event. Earlier, India’s women beat Iran 37-34, completing a double victory and extending the country’s dominance in Asian Games kabaddi.
India’s men’s kabaddi team defeated Iran 40-34 in the Asian Games final in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, retaining the title and claiming the country’s ninth gold medal in the event. Iran led 18-17 at half-time, but India increased its intensity after the break. The Indian side strengthened its defence and improved its attacking rhythm before pulling away from its opponents.
The victory marked India’s biggest winning margin against Iran across the past three Asian Games. It also prevented a repeat of Iran’s late challenge in the previous final at Hangzhou, where India won 33-29 after a lengthy stoppage caused by a disputed raid and refereeing protests. India’s latest title extends its long record in men’s Asian Games kabaddi.
Iran ended that run in the semi-finals at Jakarta in 2018, but India regained the crown at Hangzhou and successfully defended it in Aichi-Nagoya. Earlier on Saturday, India’s women also defeated Iran, winning their final 37-34. The result gave India a golden double in the sport.
The women had gone unbeaten in the group stage, including a 37-23 win over Iran. They then beat Japan 50-25 and Nepal 48-24 before facing a much closer contest in the final. Iran remained within reach throughout the women’s match, but India relied on defensive discipline and experience in the closing stages.
The victory secured India’s fourth Asian Games women’s kabaddi gold and completed two final wins over Iran on the same day.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.