Asian Games 2023: The Indian men's Kabaddi team clinched the Gold medal in a dramatic final against Iran. The Gold medal clash had a major controversy in the dying moments as India's Pawan was at the centerstage of a chaotic moment along with some Iran defenders. The Indians won the match by 33-29 to regain the Asian Games title.
The Indians led at the halfway point in the Gold medal clash. After inflicting an all-out on the 2018 champions, India led 17-13. They were 7-9 behind earlier but made a stunning comeback into the match. India started well in the second half too, taking a five-point lead at 21-16 with 15 minutes to go. There was a massive moment in the game when Pawan went for a do-or-a-die raid but stepped out of the lobby. Iran and India were awarded a point each but the latter went on to review it and were given three points, while Iran were given one. The Iranians protested and there was a long delay before the final minute loaded.
The decision was changed three times and the Indians protested. The match was stopped for more than an hour and suspended temporarily. When the match resumed, India got the better of Iran to take the yellow metal and their much-awaited revenge. The Indians had earlier lost the 2018 semifinal to the eventual champions Iran in a nail-biter.
India are the most successful team in Kabaddi at the Games. The nation has won Gold medals eight times now while Iran has one. The Indians clinched Gold in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2023.
