Kabaddi Leagues and Player Auctions — 2026-09-08
The kabaddi world is currently gripped by a major integrity scandal as India's Brijendra Singh Choudhary was stripped of his Asian Beach Games silver medal following a doping violation. Meanwhile, international preparations for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games are intensifying, with Iran and Pakistan conducting joint training camps and Iran's women's team undergoing intensive rebuilding efforts in India.
Kabaddi Leagues and Player Auctions — 2026-09-08
Top developments
Doping Scandal Strikes Indian Kabaddi
Indian kabaddi player Brijendra Singh Choudhary has been stripped of his silver medal from the 2026 Asian Beach Games after failing an anti-doping test for brinzolamide. The urine sample was collected during an in-competition doping control on April 27, 2026, but the sanction and public announcement occurred in early September 2026. This incident raises serious questions about the integrity of the sport ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, potentially affecting team selection dynamics and federation credibility.
Asian Games Squad Announcements and Group Draws
Defending champions India have announced their 12-member men's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, led by star raiders Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, and all-rounder Pawan Sehrawat. The men's team has been drawn in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Japan, while the women's team will face powerhouse Iran, Japan, and Bangladesh. These announcements finalize the rosters for the tournament scheduled from September 19 to October 4, 2026, setting the stage for high-stakes regional rivalries.
Iran’s Strategic Rebuilding Ahead of Asian Games
Iran’s women’s national kabaddi team is undergoing a significant rebuild, training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sonipat centre to challenge the traditional dominance of India and Chinese Taipei. The Iranian squad, which includes veterans like captain Fazel Atrachali for the men's side, is leveraging cross-border practice matches to gain valuable exposure. This intensive preparation highlights the growing competitiveness of non-Indian teams in international kabaddi.
Local view
Local sports media in India is focusing heavily on the doping violation involving Brijendra Singh Choudhary, with outlets like News18 and The Hindu detailing the specifics of the brinzolamide test failure. The coverage emphasizes the impact on the team's morale just weeks before the Asian Games begin. Additionally, India.com is providing detailed previews of the group stages, highlighting the tough draw for the Indian men's team in Group A.
Context & numbers
The 20th edition of the Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India's men's kabaddi team enters as defending champions, having won previous titles. The recent PKL Season 12 saw Ayan Lohchab finish as Raider of the Season with 316 raid points, cementing his status as a key player for the national team.
On the radar
- Asian Games Kick-off: The kabaddi competitions at the 2026 Asian Games begin on September 19, 2026.
- Iran-Pakistan Joint Camp: Following their arrival in Islamabad in late August, the Iranian and Pakistani teams continue joint training and friendly matches to fine-tune strategies before the Asiad.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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