Iranian Girls, Boys Claim Kabaddi Titles in Asian Games

After winning over defending champion India, the Iranian men’s team secured a strong 26-16 victory over South Korea in the final on Friday, becoming the Asian kabaddi champions.

The Iranian men’s team ranked second after champion India in the past two Asian Games and past three World Cup tournaments.

The Indian men’s team has been kabaddi champion for seven times in the games.

Iranians put away the Indian team in the semi-finals, ending that team’s dominant run at the event.

The Iranian women’s kabaddi team also stopped their Indian arch-rivals from winning their third successive gold. The Iranians edged past India 27-24 to avenge their 2014 Asian final defeat against the Indian side. Their victory marks the first time a women’s team has beaten India in kabaddi at the Asian Games.

Before this year’s event, India had the most successful kabaddi teams on the world stage, winning all international titles in both men’s and women’s categories.

At the 18th Asian Games, which started on August 8 and continues until September 2, Iran has so far won 31 medals, including 12 gold, 11 silver and eight Bronze medals.

This year’s games are being held in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.