Rajnath Singh hails Men's Kabaddi Gold at Asian Games 2026

Key Takeaways

India's men's kabaddi team claimed gold at the Asian Games 2026 .

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly congratulated the team on 26 September 2026 .

India has won kabaddi gold at multiple prior Asian Games editions, including 2018 and 2023 .

Singh described the win as a testament to the athletes' 'top notch skills, talent and indomitable spirit'.

Kabaddi remains one of India's most consistent gold-medal disciplines at the Asian Games level.

Gold again — and this time, on the biggest stage in Asian sport. India's men's kabaddi team clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, extending a remarkable winning run that has made the sport one of India's most reliable sources of continental glory. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated the victory on Saturday, 26 September 2026, calling it a 'testament to the top notch skills, talent and indomitable spirit' of the athletes.

A dynasty defended on the kabaddi mat

India's men's kabaddi team has long treated the Asian Games gold medal as something close to a birthright. The side had previously won gold at the 2018 and 2023 Asian Games editions, building a legacy that combines raw athleticism with deep tactical understanding of a sport India effectively invented. Defending that standard under the scrutiny of a full continental field is no routine feat — and the squad delivered again.

Singh, a senior BJP leader who has held the portfolios of Home Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh before his current role, made a point of expressing personal pride alongside official congratulations. 'India is proud of this success,' he wrote, adding his best wishes for the team's future endeavours.

What this gold adds to India's Asian Games story

Kabaddi is one of those rare disciplines where India doesn't just compete — it dominates. Consecutive gold medals across multiple Games cycles signal a depth of talent in the grassroots pipeline, not just individual brilliance at the top. Every gold reinforces kabaddi's case as a flagship Indian sport at the international level, drawing attention to domestic leagues and state-level competitions that feed the national programme.

Senior government figures routinely use moments like this to amplify sporting achievements, and Singh's post fits that pattern — but the win itself is the story. The athletes on the mat earned it.

India's kabaddi men have now turned Asian Games gold into a habit. The question for every future continental cycle is no longer whether India can win — it's by how much.

Point of View

Kabaddi's profile in international multi-sport conversations will only grow.

NationPress

26 Sept 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Did India win gold in kabaddi at Asian Games 2026?

Yes, India's men's kabaddi team won the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, as confirmed by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's post on 26 September 2026.

How many times has India won kabaddi gold at the Asian Games?

India's men's kabaddi team has won gold medals at multiple Asian Games editions, including 2018 and 2023, making the Asian Games 2026 another title in a long-running dominant run.

What did Rajnath Singh say about the kabaddi gold medal?

Rajnath Singh called the victory a 'testament to the top notch skills, talent and indomitable spirit' of the athletes, adding that 'India is proud of this success'.

Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?

The specific host city of the Asian Games 2026 was not mentioned in the post. The event is a continental multi-sport competition held across Asian nations on a four-year cycle.

Why is kabaddi important for India at the Asian Games?

Kabaddi is a traditional Indian sport in which the country has historically dominated at the Asian Games level, consistently delivering gold medals and reinforcing India's status as the sport's premier international force.