Asian Games: Pair of golds in sight as Indian kabaddi teams open campaign
The Indian men’s and women’s kabaddi teams will begin their title defense at the Asian Games on September 21, with both sides aiming to repeat the double gold medal they achieved at Hangzhou 2022.
The competition will be held at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium from September 21 to 26, with 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams competing. The tournament will be played in a round-robin group stage, followed by semi-finals and gold matches.
India’s men will begin their campaign against hosts Japan, while the women’s team will take on Bangladesh.
GROUPS
India’s men have been drawn in Group A along with Japan, Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh. Group B includes Iran, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The draw keeps India and Iran, the two most successful teams in the Asian kabaddi games, apart until the final.
Meanwhile, Indian women are in Group A with Iran, Japan and Bangladesh. Group B includes Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal.
Unlike the men’s competition, India will face Iran in the women’s group stage, with the two teams clashing on September 23.
INDIAN DEFENSE OF THE TITLE
Iran remains India’s biggest threat in both competitions. They are the only nation other than India to have won gold at the Asian Games in both men’s and women’s events.
Iran ended India’s winning run of seven editions in men’s kabaddi at Jakarta 2018, while the Iranian women also defeated India at the same games to win the final 27-24.
India got revenge at Hangzhou 2022. The men’s team beat Iran to win the Asian Games gold, while the women beat Chinese Taipei 26-25 in a tight final.
Chinese Taipei has since established itself as one of the premier women’s kabaddi teams outside of India and Iran. Bangladesh and Korea Republic, both multiple Asian Games medalists, will also provide a stern test for India’s men.
Hosts Japan will have the home support advantage as they take on India in the men’s opener.
India’s men’s head coach Balwan Singh brings considerable experience to the campaign, having won 14 international gold medals as a coach. His achievements include all three Indian Men’s World Kabaddi titles in 2004, 2007 and 2016.
He will be assisted by BC Ramesh, who won the Pro Kabaddi League twice, with Bengal Warriorz in season 7 and Puneri Paltan in season 10.
Singh emphasized that India will not take any opponent lightly.
“We don’t see any opponent as weak. If we make a mistake somewhere, it makes it difficult for the opponent, so we have to focus on making as few mistakes as possible throughout the 40 minutes,” he said.
He added that the message in the locker room was to respect every opponent regardless of the score.
WOMEN FACE A HARDER ROAD
The Indian women’s team will be aiming for a fourth gold medal in five appearances at the Asian Games.
They have won medals in every year they have competed, winning gold in 2010, 2014 and 2022 and silver in 2018.
Pushpa Rana will lead the team with Sonali Shingate playing a pivotal role. The team also includes Sanju Devi, the MVP of the 2025 Women’s World Cup in Kabaddi.
The team is coached by Neeta Dadwe and Mamtha Poojari, with Poojari identifying Iran and Chinese Taipei as India’s main challenges.
“Iran and Chinese Taipei are the teams we watch most closely,” Poojari said.
She also highlighted Iran’s ability to maintain a high tempo for the full 40 minutes as a special challenge.
India will face Iran on September 23 in the group stage, and could face Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals or final.
That gives the defending champions a potentially tougher path to the gold medal than the men’s team, who can face Iran in a summit clash only if both sides reach the final.
EQUIPMENT AND SCHEDULE
September 21: Men vs. Japan (9:45 AM IST), Women Vs. Bangladesh (16:15 IST)
September 22: Men vs. Korea Republic (7:15 am IST)
September 23: Women vs. Iran (8:30 AM IST), Men Vs. Bangladesh (9:45 AM IST)
September 24: Men vs. Chinese Taipei (9:45 AM IST) Women Vs. Japan (4:15 PM IST)
September 25: Women’s Semi-Final 1 (9:30 AM IST), Men’s Semi-Final 1 (10:45 AM IST), Women’s Semi-Final 2 (2:30 PM IST), Men’s Semi-Final 2 (3:45 PM IST)
September 26: Women’s Final (9:30 AM IST), Men’s Final (2:30 PM IST)
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
20 Sep 2026 18:56 IST