Asian Games 2026: Four Semifinalist Names Sealed in the Points-Table Blockchain of Kabaddi

The men's kabaddi semifinalists at the 2026 Asian Games are India, Chinese Taipei, Iran and Thailand. All four teams have guaranteed at least a bronze medal, and the gold-medal match is set for September 26. The group stage ended after a dramatic fourth day. Iran beat Thailand 83-27, Japan beat South Korea 62-35, India beat Chinese Taipei 37-21, Nepal beat Malaysia 73-52, and Iran ended Pakistan's medal hopes with a 51-30 win. India topped Group A with four wins from four matches. Chinese Taipei also reached the semifinals with two wins, while Bangladesh finished third with two wins but missed out on points difference. Japan also had two wins but finished fourth, and South Korea finished without a win. In Group B, Iran won all four matches. Thailand finished second with three wins and secured their first-ever Asian Games kabaddi medal. Pakistan finished third and were eliminated, marking the first time Pakistan have returned home without a kabaddi medal at the Asian Games. Nepal earned one win on the final day, beating Malaysia, who finished without a single win. The group-stage table shows that in kabaddi, not just the number of wins but the size of the margin decides semifinal places. Bangladesh and Japan both had two wins, but Chinese Taipei took the semifinal spot. Meanwhile, India and Iran remain the undoubted favorites after perfect group-stage campaigns. However, knockout kabaddi is a different game. Dominance in the group stage does not guarantee a place in the final. One bad raid, one tired breath, and a team can go home empty-handed. The semifinals will test the depth and mental strength of all four teams, and the gold-medal match on September 26 will be the final block in this chain of results.