Mandaviya hails India's 9th Asian Games Kabaddi Gold
Synopsis
The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team claimed their ninth consecutive Asian Games gold medal on 26 September 2026, defeating Iran 40-34 in the final. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated the historic milestone on X, calling it 'absolute domination on the mat.'
Key Takeaways
The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team won their 9th consecutive Asian Games gold medal on 26 September 2026 .
India defeated Iran 40-34 in the Asian Games Kabaddi final.
India has won every Asian Games Kabaddi gold since the sport's inclusion in 1990 — a perfect nine-from-nine record.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya hailed the team on X, calling their performance 'absolute domination on the mat.' Iran has been a recurring finalist and the most consistent challenger to India's dominance in the event.
Nine golds in nine attempts. The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team has never lost an Asian Games final since the sport debuted at the continental showpiece in 1990 — and on Saturday, 26 September 2026, they kept that extraordinary streak alive, defeating Iran 40-34 in a pulsating final to claim their historic ninth consecutive gold medal. Union Labour and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated the victory on X, calling it 'absolute domination on the mat.'
A perfect record that stretches three and a half decades
Kabaddi entered the Asian Games programme in 1990 in Beijing, and India won that first gold. They won the next. And the next. Nine editions, nine titles — a run of continental dominance that stands comparison with any streak in any team sport at a major multi-sport Games. Saturday's 40-34 scoreline against Iran was no walkover either; the margin tells a story of a match that had to be won, not merely collected.
Iran has been the most persistent challenger on this stage, appearing in multiple finals and consistently pushing India to compete at full intensity. That competitive pressure makes the unbroken record more remarkable, not less.
What the nine-gold run says about India's kabaddi infrastructure
India's grip on Asian Games Kabaddi is rooted in the sport's indigenous DNA — kabaddi was played in village arenas long before it ever appeared in a stadium. Structured national training support has turned that grassroots base into a pipeline of elite athletes capable of performing under continental pressure, edition after edition.
Successive sports ministers, including Mandaviya, have pointed to these results as evidence that investment in traditional sports pays international dividends. The ministry's broader mandate — under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — covers athlete welfare, coaching infrastructure, and scheme-backed support that feeds into teams like this one.
Mandaviya's message to the champions
Posting with the tricolour and gold medal emoji, Mandaviya wrote: 'Absolute domination on the mat! The Indian Men's Kabaddi Team secures a historic 9th Asian Games Gold with a thrilling 40-34 victory over Iran. Proud of our champions!' The hashtag #Cheer4Bharat — a rallying call used across Indian sporting campaigns — accompanied the post alongside a video of the victory.
The language is celebratory but the number behind it is the real headline. Nine is not a coincidence. Nine is a system.
Point of View
Publicly celebrating this ninth gold reinforces the government's 'Cheer4Bharat' sports narrative ahead of what is likely to be a busy domestic sports policy calendar. The margin of victory — 40-34 against a competitive Iran side — also signals that the team is not coasting on legacy alone, which matters for long-term programme credibility. The streak puts India's kabaddi establishment in a rare category globally: a team sport dynasty that has survived three decades of generational transitions without a single title slip.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has India won Kabaddi gold at the Asian Games?
India has won the Men's Kabaddi gold medal at every Asian Games edition since the sport's inclusion in 1990 — a total of nine consecutive gold medals as of 2026.
What was the score in the 2026 Asian Games Kabaddi final?
India defeated Iran by a score of 40-34 in the 2026 Asian Games Men's Kabaddi final on 26 September 2026.
When did Kabaddi become part of the Asian Games?
Kabaddi was included in the Asian Games programme starting from the 1990 edition held in Beijing, and India has won gold at every edition since then.
What did Mansukh Mandaviya say about the Kabaddi gold medal?
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya posted on X calling it 'absolute domination on the mat' and expressed pride in the team after their 40-34 victory over Iran.
Which country is India's biggest rival in Asian Games Kabaddi?
Iran has been India's most persistent rival in Asian Games Kabaddi, frequently appearing in the final and pushing India to competitive margins in multiple editions.
