Kishan Reddy hails Men's Kabaddi gold at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy praised India's men's kabaddi team for clinching gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, defeating Iran 40–34 in the final and retaining the continental title won in Hangzhou 2022.
Key Takeaways
India's men's kabaddi team won gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
The team defeated Iran 40–34 in the gold-medal final.
The victory retains the Asian Games kabaddi title India won at the 2022 Games in Hangzhou .
Kishan Reddy publicly congratulated the team on 26 September 2026 .
India and Iran are the sport's dominant rivals at the continental level, making each final a high-stakes contest.
India's men's kabaddi team delivered yet again on the continental stage — and Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy was among the first from the political class to salute the achievement, posting his congratulations on Saturday, 26 September 2026 after the team claimed gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
A 40–34 verdict over Iran in the final
India defeated Iran 40–34 in the gold-medal final, retaining the Asian Games title in a sport the country has long treated as its own. Kishan Reddy called the result 'a proud moment for the nation,' adding that the team showed 'skill, determination and composure' to hold off a formidable Iranian side.
The margin — six points — reflects a hard-fought contest. Iran has historically been India's fiercest rival in Asian Games kabaddi, making each final a genuine test rather than a coronation.
Retaining the title India won in Hangzhou
This gold continues a dominant run: India had claimed the men's kabaddi gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, also defeating Iran in that final. Back-to-back continental titles underline how the team has rebuilt and sustained its edge despite the growing competitiveness of Asian kabaddi.
Kabaddi, a contact sport of Indian origin, carries a particular cultural weight in the country's multi-sport haul. For ministers and officials, flagging these victories is also a quiet assertion of indigenous sporting identity on a global platform.
Why this gold lands differently
Indian politicians routinely post about cricket milestones. When a senior Union minister publicly champions kabaddi, it signals something broader — an intent to keep traditional disciplines visible in the national conversation. Kishan Reddy's post, tagged #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianGames2026, feeds into that pattern, reaching his political audience with a moment of uncomplicated national pride.
With more events still to run at Aichi-Nagoya, India's overall medal count at the Games remains the wider story to watch. But for today, kabaddi just wrote the headline.
Point of View
It reinforces the government's 'Cheer4Bharat' branding that links sporting nationalism with political identity. The Iran rivalry also matters geopolitically: consistently beating a strong West Asian side on a pan-Asian platform carries a subtle prestige beyond the medal table. Whether this visibility translates into structural investment in kabaddi infrastructure and athlete welfare remains the real test of political intent.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win kabaddi gold at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. India's men's kabaddi team won the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, defeating Iran 40–34 in the final.
What was the score in the India vs Iran kabaddi final at Asian Games 2026?
India defeated Iran by a score of 40–34 in the men's kabaddi gold-medal final at the 2026 Asian Games.
Has India won men's kabaddi gold at back-to-back Asian Games?
Yes. India won the men's kabaddi gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and retained the title at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, both times defeating Iran.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
What did G. Kishan Reddy say about India's kabaddi gold?
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy called it 'a proud moment for the nation,' praising the team for displaying 'skill, determination and composure' and wishing them continued success.
