India completed a golden sweep in kabaddi at the Asian Games 2026, with the men’s and women’s teams both beating Iran in closely fought finals.

The women’s team, led by captain Pushpa Rana, edged Iran 37-34 to defend the title they won in Hangzhou, while the men’s side produced a second-half comeback to win 40-34 and claim a record ninth Asian Games gold.

Both captains credited teamwork and the guidance of their coaches after the triumphs in Tokai. They said the squad had trained for months with the single goal of winning gold.

The squads received a grand welcome at Delhi airport on Sunday night, with fans and officials turning out to celebrate the double gold. Players were garlanded as drums played and supporters chanted their names.

The victories underline India’s dominance of the sport on the continental stage, with calls growing for kabaddi to be added to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. Administrators hope the golden sweep will strengthen the case for the sport’s inclusion.