Iran name 12-member kabaddi squad for Asian Games 2026, Fazel Atrachali to lead
New Delhi, August 11
Veteran defender Fazel Atrachali and all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui will headline Iran's 12-member men's kabaddi squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Atrachali, 34, will captain Iran at the continental showpiece and is set to make his fifth Asian Games appearance. The experienced defender has won four medals at the Asian Games, including gold at Jakarta 2018 and silver medals at Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2023, according to Olympics.com.
Atrachali is also the all-time leading defender in the Pro Kabaddi League and was named the league's Most Valuable Player last year after helping Dabang Delhi K.C. win the title.
Shadloui, meanwhile, will provide further experience and firepower to the Iranian side. The all-rounder is tied fifth on the PKL's all-time tackle-points list and captained Gujarat Giants last season. Mohammad Esmail Nabibakhsh is another experienced all-rounder in the squad.
Seven members of Iran's 12-player squad were part of the team that won silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Apart from Atrachali, Shadloui and Nabibakhsh, Reza Mirbagheri, Alireza Mirzaeian, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh and Amirhossein Bastami also return.
Iran finished runners-up at Hangzhou 2023 after losing 33-29 to India in the final. The Iranians had earlier defeated India in the semi-finals at Jakarta 2018 before going on to win the gold medal.
At Aichi-Nagoya 2026, Iran have been drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand, while defending champions India are in Group A with Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan.
The men's kabaddi competition will be held from September 21 to 26 at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium, with the Asian Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
Iran's women's kabaddi squad is yet to be announced.
Iran men's kabaddi squad: Fazel Atrachali (captain), Mohammadreza Shadloui, Reza Mirbagheri, Alireza Mirzaeian, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Mohammad Esmail Nabibakhsh, Ali Samadi, Amirhossein Bastami, Amirhossein Ejlali, Heider Ekrami, Omid Khojasteh, Ali Eyvozi.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Atrachali at 34 still leading the defence is remarkable. But our Indian team has the depth and home advantage of PKL experience. Should be a thrilling final if both reach there again.
Iran vs Pakistan in the same group is going to be intense. Kabaddi is growing globally and this Asian Games will be special. India needs to be careful not to underestimate anyone.
Respect to Fazel for his consistency, but I hope our boys have been training hard on tackling those Iranian ankle holds. The PKL exposure will help our youngsters.
Kabaddi is in our blood. Iran's rise is good for the sport, but we still have the edge in raiding and do-or-die situations. Gold is coming back to India!
As a neutral, Iran's squad looks solid with that mix of experience from PKL and Asian Games. The rivalry with India is what makes kabaddi so exciting. Looking forward to a great tournament.
Solid squad from Iran, but our team needs to work on their defence in the final minutes. We lost the 2018 semi-final due to that. Hope the selectors have addressed it. Overall, kabadd
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