India's Kabaddi Team Triumphs Over Chinese Taipei at Asian Games 2026

India's Strong Start in Kabaddi at Asian Games 2026

In a thrilling Group A kabaddi match at the Asian Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India faced off against Chinese Taipei on September 25. The Indian team, captained by Sunil Kumar, secured a convincing victory with a score of 37-21 during their opening match at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium.

As the reigning champions, India dominated their group, defeating Bangladesh, Japan, and South Korea without a single loss, thus qualifying for the semifinals. In the semifinals, they showcased their prowess by overpowering Thailand with a score of 66-28, earning a spot in the finals against Iran.

With their impressive performance, the Indian men's kabaddi team is on the brink of winning their ninth gold medal and tenth overall medal in kabaddi at the Asian Games.

Viral Moment from the Match Against Chinese Taipei

As India prepares to defend their title against Iran in the final, a humorous incident from their earlier match against Chinese Taipei has gone viral on social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

In the viral footage, two defenders from Chinese Taipei attempted to tackle an Indian raider. One defender managed to grab the raider's leg, but his teammate misjudged the situation and mistakenly grabbed his own partner's leg instead. This blunder led to both defenders tumbling to the mat, allowing the Indian raider to escape unharmed.

At that moment, India was leading 31-17, and this comical mix-up became a memorable highlight of their dominant victory. Ultimately, India secured the win with a score of 37-21, marking a strong start to their gold medal defense at the Asian Games 2026.

A Legacy of Success for Indian Men's Kabaddi Team

The Indian men's kabaddi team has been a part of the Asian Games since 1990, the year the sport was officially included in the event. India has consistently been a powerhouse in men's kabaddi throughout the history of the Asian Games.

Since its inception in 1990, India has won every gold medal until the 2018 Jakarta edition, where they finished with a bronze. However, they made a remarkable comeback by reclaiming the gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

Now, as they defend their title for the first time since their return to glory in Hangzhou, the Men in Blue, led by Sunil Kumar, are just one match away from adding another chapter to their illustrious history.

Iran, the 2018 gold medalists, will be looking to reclaim their title as they face India in the kabaddi final, aiming to prevent the defending champions from securing another gold.