Jaideep Leads India to Kabaddi Gold at Asian Games 2026
India Triumphs in Men's Kabaddi at Asian Games
In Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 26, gold medallist Jaideep expressed his joy after securing the Asian Games gold for India. He highlighted how the team managed the weight of expectations with poise and had faith in their ability to stage a comeback.
Jaideep mentioned that the team's goal is to represent India at the Olympics and dedicated his gold medal to his brother.
India showcased an exhilarating performance in the men's kabaddi final at the 2026 Asian Games, overcoming Iran with a score of 40-34 in a tightly contested match held at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium on Saturday. This victory marked India's ninth gold medal in kabaddi at the Asian Games.
"Winning a gold medal for my country fills me with immense happiness. Every player dreams of achieving this... There was some pressure due to the expectations, but we were confident in our comeback... Our aim is to compete in the Olympics and bring pride to our nation. Iran has learned from us... I dedicate this medal to my brother," Jaideep stated.
Devank, another key player in the Indian men's kabaddi team, expressed his gratitude towards God, his teammates, coach, and captain for their unwavering support. He conveyed the team's joy in delivering the gold medal for India, dedicating their victory to the entire nation, which had high hopes for their success.
India completed an unbeaten run in the tournament, with Arjun Deshwal and Devank Dalal spearheading the offense, while Sumit and Jaideep made vital defensive plays to secure the win against Iran.
"I am deeply thankful to God for our success and for allowing us to perform at our best. I also want to express my appreciation to the team, coach, and captain for their trust in me. The entire team is thrilled with our performance; winning gold was essential for India, and now that we have achieved it, everyone is elated. I dedicate this gold medal to the entire nation of India, as everyone back home was counting on us to bring back the gold—and we did," he remarked.
As the final moments of the match approached, Iran was unable to mount a comeback, allowing India to secure a 40-34 victory and finish their Asian Games journey unbeaten.