The Indian women’s beach kabaddi team continued its unprecedented dominance at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, by capturing its sixth consecutive gold medal on Monday, April 27, 2026. This victory marks a perfect record for the squad, which has won gold in every edition of the Games since the sport’s inception in 2008.
In a commanding final performance, India defeated Sri Lanka 47–31. While the early stages of the 30-minute match remained competitive, the Indian team utilized their superior conditioning and tactical depth to pull away in the second half.
Women’s Gold Medal Highlights
- Final Score: India 47 – 31 Sri Lanka
- Key Performance: Debutant Simran Kamboj, a natural raider from Punjab, showcased her versatility by playing primarily as a defender to stifle the Sri Lankan attack.
- Path to Gold: India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating Bangladesh 50–31 in the semifinals and securing group-stage wins over Syria and Sri Lanka.
- Squad: Led by skipper Ritu, the gold-winning team included Manisha Kumari, Simran Kamboj, Manpreet Kaur, Nikita, and Nikita Chauhan.
Men’s Team Settles for Silver
While the women celebrated gold, the Indian men’s team earned a hard-fought silver medal, their second consecutive runner-up finish. Facing a disciplined Islamic Republic of Iran in the final, the Indian men were unable to recover from an early deficit, eventually falling 44–31.
Men’s Final Summary:
- Result: Iran 44 – 31 India
- Match Flow: India trailed 23–11 at halftime. Despite a spirited effort in the closing minutes led by captain Brijendra Singh Choudhary, the gap proved too large to bridge.
- Semifinal: India reached the final after a dominant 50–27 win over rivals Pakistan.
- Squad: Brijendra Singh Choudhary (C), Jitendra Yadav, Yatharth Deshwal, Neeraj, Jai Bhagwan, and Bhanu Pratap Tomar.
India’s Standing in Sanya 2026
The kabaddi double-header on Monday provided India with its first two medals of the 2026 Games. The 31-member Indian contingent continues to compete in other coastal disciplines, including 3×3 basketball, sailing, and beach wrestling, as the event runs through April 30.
