Sunil Kumar Celebrates Gold Medal Win at Asian Games 2026

Indian men's kabaddi captain Sunil Kumar celebrates a gold medal victory at the Asian Games 2026, attributing the success to months of hard work. The team staged a remarkable comeback against Iran, securing a 40-34 win. Kumar emphasizes the significance of this achievement in the absence of kabaddi in the Olympics and expresses hope for its future inclusion. This victory not only adds to India's kabaddi legacy but also marks a memorable campaign for the team. Discover more about their journey and aspirations in this thrilling recap.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 27, 2026, 00:03 IST

Sunil Kumar's Joyful Victory

In Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 26, Indian men's kabaddi captain Sunil Kumar shared his excitement after securing a gold medal, attributing the success to the team's rigorous eight-month training.

Kumar described the Asian Games medal as the pinnacle of achievement for kabaddi athletes, expressing optimism about the sport's future inclusion in the Olympic Games.

"Winning the gold medal fills me with immense joy. Our sole focus was on victory. Our team is exceptional; after eight months of training, we were destined to enjoy the fruits of our labor. The Asian Games medal is the ultimate accolade for us. It stands as the most significant achievement, especially since kabaddi is not yet part of the Olympics. We aspire for its inclusion in the Olympics, but for now, clinching gold at the Asian Games is unparalleled," Sunil Kumar stated.

India staged an impressive comeback in the second half to defeat Iran 40-34, thereby securing the gold medal in the men's kabaddi event at the 2026 Asian Games.

Trailing 17-18 at halftime, India returned with renewed vigor, taking command of the match and decisively turning the tide in their favor.

Key players Sumit and Arjun Deshwal were instrumental in elevating India's performance during the second half, allowing them to pull ahead of their rivals.

The defending champions left little opportunity for Iran to respond, dominating the match to clinch the gold medal.

In contrast to the nail-biting final of the 2023 Asian Games, where the outcome was uncertain until the end, India established a solid lead in the second half this time and maintained their composure to finish the match successfully.

This victory adds yet another gold medal to India's illustrious kabaddi history and marks a remarkable achievement for the Indian men's team.