The Asian Games 2026 kabaddi captains will play a crucial role when the sport takes centre stage at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The kabaddi competition is scheduled from September 21 to 26 at the Tōkai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, with 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams representing 11 nations.
India will enter the tournament as the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s competitions. With several experienced international players leading the participating sides, the tournament promises plenty of competition for the medals.
Asian Games 2026 Kabaddi Captains: Men’s List
Here is the Kabaddi captains list for the participating men’s teams:
| Nation | Captain | Position |
| India | Sunil Kumar | Right Cover Defender |
| Iran | Fazel Atrachali | Left Corner Defender |
| South Korea | Jang Kun Lee | Raider |
| Pakistan | Mudassir Ali (Shah) | All Rounder/Raider |
| Nepal | Ghanshyam Magar | Raider |
| Bangladesh | Md Mijanur Rahman | Raider/All Rounder |
| Japan | Abe Tetsuro (Katsumi Abe) | Defender/All Rounder |
| Chinese Taipei | Tsai Chung Hao | All Rounder |
| Thailand | Thanongsak Srihera | Raider |
| Malaysia | D. Vijayan Kumaran | All Rounder |
India’s Sunil Kumar is one of the biggest names among the Asian Games kabaddi teams 2026. The experienced defender is an Asian Games and Asian Championship gold medallist and has more than 450 tackle points in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Iran will be led by Fazel Atrachali, another prominent defender. The left corner won Asian Games gold in 2018 and has also enjoyed major success in the PKL, where he has been an MVP and multiple time champion.
South Korea will rely on veteran raider Jang Kun Lee. A pioneer of the PKL, Lee has accumulated almost 500 raid points and brings considerable international experience to the Korean side.
Other Captains to Watch
Pakistan’s Mudassir Ali Shah is an experienced all rounder and raider who has represented his country at major Asian and South Asian competitions. Nepal’s Ghanshyam Magar has also gained recognition through the Yuva Kabaddi Series and his association with Haryana Steelers.
Host nation Japan will be captained by Abe Tetsuro, also known as Katsumi Abe. Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Chung Hao will look to build on the country’s historic men’s bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games, while Thailand’s Thanongsak Srihera and Malaysia’s D. Vijayan Kumaran provide further experience.
Women’s Tournament and India Captain
India’s women’s team will be led by Pushpa Rana, with Asian Games gold medallist Ritu Negi serving as vice-captain. India will be aiming to defend its title and continue its strong record in continental kabaddi.
The Asian Games 2026 kabaddi squads will compete under a format that sees the 10 men’s teams divided into two groups of five. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals.
The eight women’s teams will be divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the medal rounds.
With India defending both titles and experienced captains such as Sunil Kumar, Fazel Atrachali and Jang Kun Lee leading their respective teams, the Asian Games 2026 kabaddi captains could have a major influence on the battle for continental supremacy.
