The Indian women’s kabaddi team clinched the gold medal at the Asian Beach Games 2026 in Sanya, China, on April 27, 2026, successfully defending their title. Led by Ritu, the six-member team delivered a strong performance to defeat Sri Lanka 47-31 in the final. India held a narrow 20-18 lead at half-time but dominated the second half to secure their sixth consecutive title in the competition.

The women’s team, which included Manisha Kumari, Simran Kamboj, Manpreet Kaur, Nikita, and Nikita Chauhan, showcased consistent form throughout the tournament. They defeated Bangladesh 50-31 in the semi-finals and earlier overcame Sri Lanka and Syria in the group stages to qualify for the knockout rounds.

In the men’s kabaddi event, India finished with a silver medal after losing the final to Iran 44-31. The team, led by Brijendra Singh Choudhary, trailed 23-11 at halftime and was unable to recover in the second half. Despite the loss, India had an impressive run, defeating Pakistan 50-27 in the semi-finals to reach the final.

The men’s squad, featuring Jitendra Yadav, Yatharth Deshwal, Neeraj, Jai Bhagwan, and Bhanu Pratap Tomar, also performed strongly in the group stages. They registered convincing wins against Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Sri Lanka to secure their place in the semi-finals.

India’s kabaddi teams delivered a strong start to their Asian Beach Games 2026 campaign, earning the country its first medals of the event. The multi-sport competition, focused on beach and coastal disciplines, marks a significant return after a decade-long gap, with India competing across multiple sports categories.