India's men's kabaddi team clinched their ninth Asian Games gold medal with a thrilling 40-34 victory over Iran in the final at Aichi on Saturday, 26 September, successfully defending their continental title. Captain Sunil Kumar said the triumph fulfilled a lifelong ambition, crediting eight months of rigorous preparation under the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

How the Final Unfolded

The match was tightly contested from the outset, with Iran holding a narrow 18-17 lead at half-time. India's revival in the second half was led by raiders Arjun Deshwal and Devank Dalal, while defenders Sunil Kumar, Sumit, and Jaideep fortified the back line.

The decisive moment came when Deshwal broke past Iran captain Fazel Atrachali to trigger an All-Out, handing India a five-point cushion with 10 minutes remaining. Sumit then executed a crucial tackle on Amirmohammad Zafar Danesh, and Rahul Sethpal made a vital late intervention to ensure Iran could not close the gap.

What the Captain Said

Sunil Kumar, who led the team throughout the campaign, was visibly emotional after the final whistle. 'I have won the gold medal. I have worked hard for it. For the last eight months, AKFI and SAI had started our camp. They had worked very hard. They were confident because AKFI had given us such a good team,' he said.

He dedicated the medal to his coach Bhupender Malik, elder brother Vijender Malik, and India's fans. 'My Guruji, Shri Bhupender Malik. My elder brother, Shri Vijender Malik. I dedicate it to both of them because they have supported me since my childhood,' he said, adding that the prayers of Indian supporters across the country were equally cherished.

Devank Dalal's Tribute

Attacking linchpin Devank Dalal also expressed joy after the final. 'First of all, I would like to thank God. My dream has come true today. The team played very well, and we are taking the gold medal home,' he said. Dalal dedicated the victory to kabaddi players competing both within India and abroad, urging them to aim even higher and 'win the cup at the Olympics.'

The Kabaddi-Olympics Push

Both Kumar and Dalal used the post-match platform to advocate for kabaddi's inclusion in the Olympic programme. 'We want kabaddi to be included in the Olympics because it is a very interesting game. Many countries have started playing now. So we want it to be included in the Olympics,' Kumar said. The sport's growing international footprint — underscored by a competitive Iran side that pushed India to the final minute — lends fresh momentum to that campaign.

India's Kabaddi Legacy

Saturday's win extended India's unbeaten run in men's kabaddi at the Asian Games, securing a ninth consecutive gold in the discipline. The campaign, backed by a structured AKFI-SAI training bloc that began eight months before the Games, reflects a methodical approach to defending continental supremacy. With the Olympic inclusion debate gathering steam, India's dominance positions the sport — and the country — at the centre of kabaddi's global aspirations.