India’s kabaddi team continued their dominance at the Asian Games 2026 as both the men’s and women’s teams secured their places in the gold-medal matches with semifinal victories. The women’s side defeated Nepal 48-24, while the men’s team followed with an emphatic 66-27 win over Thailand. The results ensured that India will have a chance to defend both kabaddi titles at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.For the women, the victory kept alive their bid for a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal. India have won the women’s kabaddi title at every Asian Games since the sport was introduced to the women’s programme in 2010.
India women overpower Nepal
The Indian women established control early and went into the interval with a 31-17 advantage. India combined successful raids with a disciplined defensive effort and repeatedly put Nepal under pressure. The four all-outs in the opening half gave the defending champions a substantial cushion.Nepal struggled to match India’s intensity after the break. They managed only seven points in the second half as India maintained their advantage and eventually completed a 24-point victory.The win extended India’s unbeaten run in the competition. They had previously defeated Iran, Bangladesh and Japan during the group stage. The defending champions will now turn their attention to the final, where they will look to maintain their remarkable record in the women’s event.
Men produce another dominant performance
The men’s team delivered an equally commanding performance against Thailand. India raced into an early lead and were comfortably ahead at 37-18 at half-time. Thailand showed flashes of resistance, with Theeradat Chaisit producing a strong spell in attack, but India quickly regained control.The Indian side continued to pile on the points after the break and eventually crossed the 50-point mark. Thailand could not keep pace with India’s raiders and defenders as the gap continued to widen. India eventually closed out the semifinal with a 66-27 victory.
India eye kabaddi double
The two semifinal victories mean India are now guaranteed medals in both kabaddi competitions. The women’s team are chasing a fourth successive gold, while the men are aiming to retain the title they won at the previous Asian Games.India have historically dominated men’s kabaddi at the Asian Games, having won eight gold medals since the sport made its debut in 1990. Iran are the only other nation to have won the men’s title, doing so in 2018 when India had to settle for bronze.The Indian teams will now have one final hurdle to clear in Nagoya.
