Tajinderpal Toor earns silver as India clinches double kabaddi gold at Asian Games 2026

Tajinderpal Toor added a silver medal to India’s tally in the men’s shot put on September 26, 2026, as the Asian Games entered their final phase in Hangzhou. The Hindu reported that Toor’s best throw of 20.38 metres placed him second behind China’s Liu Wei, marking his first podium finish at a major multi‑sport event.

The Indian kabaddi teams delivered the headline‑grabbing performances of the day. In the men’s final, India edged out Iran 38‑33 in a tightly contested match, while the women’s side replicated the feat with a 33‑28 victory over the same opponents. Both wins were described by The Hindu as “dramatic” and secured the country’s sixth consecutive gold in men’s kabaddi and fourth in the women’s competition.

The shot‑put competition featured a strong field, with athletes from China, Iran and Japan challenging for the top spot. Toor’s silver was the result of a steady series of throws that kept him within striking distance of the leader throughout the six‑round event. His performance not only underscored his personal progress but also highlighted India’s growing depth in field events, an area traditionally dominated by East Asian nations.

India’s dominance in kabaddi at the Asian Games is rooted in a legacy that began with the sport’s inclusion in the 1990 Beijing Games, where the men’s team first captured gold. Since then, India has won the men’s title in every edition, establishing a near‑unbeatable record. The women’s team, introduced in 2010, quickly followed suit, securing gold in three of the last four Games. This sustained success reflects a robust domestic league and systematic talent development that feeds the national squads.

Looking ahead, the medals earned in Hangzhou provide a morale boost for Indian athletes as they prepare for the 2028 Paris Olympics. While kabaddi remains a regional sport, the discipline’s growing visibility could influence its push for inclusion in future Olympic programmes. For track and field athletes like Toor, the Asian Games serve as a stepping stone toward Olympic qualification standards, with his 20.38‑metre throw already meeting the entry mark for the upcoming World Championships.

The Hindu’s live updates captured a day of both individual brilliance and team triumphs, reinforcing India’s status as a sporting powerhouse in Asia and setting the stage for the final medal ceremonies scheduled later this week.