India’s men’s and women’s kabaddi teams win gold medals at the Asian Games 2026 after both teams defeated Iran in their respective finals on Saturday.

The women’s team defended their title with a score of 37-34 against Iran. The men’s team, which struggled in the first half, made a strong comeback in the second half to beat Iran 40-34. The victory also gave India its ninth Asian Games gold medal in men’s kabaddi, a record in the sport.

The two teams received a warm welcome after reaching Delhi Airport on Sunday night.

Men’s team’s captain Sunil Kumar said the gold medal was the result of the team’s combined effort. He also praised the coaching staff for their support during the tournament.

“No captain can win a tournament alone; it requires a team. Our team played cohesively as a unit, and that is why we won the gold. I will keep winning gold for Team India,” Sunil said.

Women’s team’s captain Pushpa Rana said the team was happy to receive a warm welcome after returning home. She also spoke about the moment the national anthem was played after their gold-medal win.

Rana said the team had worked hard and believed in its ability to win. She added that the players followed the plans made with their coaches and carried them out successfully in the final.

Men’s head coach Balwan Singh called the win a victory for the entire country. He thanked the people of India, the government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) for their support.

Singh also said he was confident that India would continue to perform strongly in kabaddi.

The two gold medals mark a successful Asian Games campaign for India’s kabaddi teams, with both sides finishing the tournament as champions.