CM Pema Khandu Hails India's 9th Kabaddi Gold at Asian Games
Synopsis
The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team defeated Iran 40–34 to claim their 9th Asian Games gold at the 2026 edition. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu celebrated the victory on X, praising the team's hard-fought performance under the #Cheer4Bharat banner.
Key Takeaways
India beat Iran 40–34 in the men's kabaddi final at the 2026 Asian Games .
This is India's 9th Asian Games gold in men's kabaddi, extending a historic winning record in the discipline.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the win publicly on X, calling it 'a hard-fought battle' and 'an outstanding performance'.
India had previously won men's kabaddi gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta , among other editions.
The victory adds to India's overall medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games, with results in other disciplines still ongoing.
Gold again — and this time, India's kabaddi men made it nine. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu celebrated the Indian Men's Kabaddi Team's triumph over Iran 40–34 at the 2026 Asian Games, hailing it as 'another Gold for India' on Saturday, September 26.
A score that says it all: 40–34 over Iran
The margin — six raids' worth of daylight — tells the story of a team that led, absorbed pressure, and refused to blink. Iran, long the stiffest rival on the Asian kabaddi circuit, pushed hard, but India's raiders and defenders held the line to close it out at 40–34. CM Khandu called it 'a hard-fought battle' and 'an outstanding performance' — language that reflects just how close contests between these two sides have historically run.
Nine golds: the weight of a dynasty
Kabaddi entered the Asian Games programme and India entered the winner's enclosure — and the two facts have rarely been separated since. The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team had already claimed gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, extending a record of consistent dominance at the continental showpiece. A ninth gold medal in the discipline cements what is, by any measure, one of the longest-running dynasties in Asian multi-sport history. For a sport rooted in the dust of Indian village grounds, that record carries a pride well beyond the scoreboard.
Why political leaders show up for kabaddi wins
Indian political leaders across parties have made a habit of amplifying kabaddi victories — and the pattern is deliberate. Kabaddi is both an indigenous sport and a mass-viewership product, making every Asian Games gold a rare intersection of cultural identity and sporting spectacle. CM Khandu, who regularly uses his platform to champion national sporting moments, framed the win under the #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianGames2026 banners, plugging into a wider government push to position India's traditional games as world-class competitive disciplines.
India's overall medal count at the 2026 Asian Games continues to build — and few additions to the tally land with the emotional weight of a kabaddi gold.
Point of View
Making every gold a statement about indigenous games earning global recognition. CM Khandu's swift amplification fits a broader BJP pattern of tying national sporting wins to the 'Cheer4Bharat' identity ecosystem. With the 2026 Asian Games medal count still building, kabaddi's gold gives India's sporting narrative a firm emotional anchor early in the final standings.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win kabaddi gold at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team defeated Iran 40–34 to claim gold at the 2026 Asian Games, according to Chief Minister Pema Khandu's post on X.
How many Asian Games kabaddi golds has India won?
The 2026 victory is India's 9th Asian Games gold in men's kabaddi, cementing one of the longest-running winning streaks in the tournament's history.
What was the final score of India vs Iran in kabaddi at Asian Games 2026?
India beat Iran by a score of 40–34 in the men's kabaddi final at the 2026 Asian Games.
Who is Pema Khandu and why did he post about kabaddi?
Pema Khandu is the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and a senior BJP leader. He regularly uses his social media platform to celebrate Indian sporting achievements at international events.
When did India last win kabaddi gold at the Asian Games before 2026?
India won the men's kabaddi gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
