India completed a golden double in kabaddi at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday as the men’s team defeated Iran 40-34 in a thrilling final to retain their title, hours after the women’s side had also beaten the same opponents to defend their gold.

The victory gave India their ninth Asian Games kabaddi gold overall and kept their dominance alive after a closely fought contest against the team that had ended their long winning streak in 2018. India remained unbeaten throughout their campaign, winning all their group-stage matches before overcoming Thailand in the semi-final.

The women’s team’s 37-34 victory earlier in the day had already secured one half of the golden double, with the men’s side completing it in the evening.

Iran push India in tightly contested final

The men’s final was closely fought from the outset, with Iran matching India in both attack and defence. The two sides were locked at 20-20 at one stage, reflecting the intensity of a contest between two teams with a long history at the Asian Games.

India gradually managed to gain the upper hand after the scores were level, creating the separation they needed in the second half. Iran continued to challenge the defending champions, but India maintained their composure to move towards the 40-point mark.

The Indian team eventually secured a six-point victory, winning 40-34 and successfully retaining the gold medal they had reclaimed at the Hangzhou Games in 2023.

India seal gold after unbeaten campaign

India’s triumph capped an unbeaten campaign in Aichi-Nagoya. The men’s team had progressed through the group stage without defeat before producing a commanding 66-28 victory over Thailand in the semi-final to set up another final against Iran.

The gold was especially significant given India’s history with Iran at the Asian Games. Iran had ended India’s seven-edition winning streak in the men’s event at the Jakarta Games in 2018, where India finished fourth. The Indian team bounced back by reclaiming the title at Hangzhou in 2023 and has now successfully defended it in Aichi-Nagoya.

Golden double after women’s triumph

The men’s victory came after the Indian women’s team had already secured gold earlier in the day with a 37-34 win over Iran. India led 22-16 at half-time before Iran mounted a strong comeback in the second half, but the defending champions held on to secure another women’s title.

The women’s team had also gone through the tournament unbeaten and extended their record in the event, having won the gold medal at every Asian Games except Jakarta 2018, when Iran defeated them in the final.

The two victories meant India secured gold medals in both men’s and women’s kabaddi at Aichi-Nagoya. The Indian players celebrated the women’s triumph with a victory lap and chants of ‘Vande Mataram’, before the men’s team completed the golden double later in the day.

India’s kabaddi dominance continues

India’s men’s gold was their eighth in the Asian Games men’s kabaddi event and their ninth overall kabaddi gold at the continental showpiece. The men’s team had won seven consecutive titles from 1990 to 2014 before Iran broke their run in Jakarta.

The women’s team, meanwhile, secured their fourth Asian Games gold after winning the inaugural women’s event in 2010 and retaining the title in 2014 before Iran’s 2018 victory interrupted their run. India reclaimed the women’s crown at Hangzhou in 2023 and have now defended it in Aichi-Nagoya.

The twin victories over Iran therefore marked more than a successful title defence for India, with both teams overcoming the same opponents to reassert their position at the top of the Asian Games kabaddi competition.

While recognising Ryan Garcia and Isaac Cruz’s advantages, Roy Jones Jr believes the “deadly” power of one man would prove significant in their potential clash.

Both fighters have verbally expressed their interest in colliding later this year, with Garcia looking to stay busy after stopping Conor Benn in two rounds.

It was, of course, a far shorter affair than many had anticipated, as the 28-year-old floored Benn with a crushing right hand and successfully defended his WBC title.

Garcia then went on to call for a unification match with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez, who he is targeting for a Cinco de Mayo weekend showdown in 2027.

Before then, though, the American is keen to make another defence of his world welterweight title, with Cruz having been named as an ideal opponent.

The 28-year-old super-lightweight contender returned to action last weekend, scoring a sixth-round knockout over Nestor Bravo before confirming his desire for a clash with Garcia.

Speaking on ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT, pound-for-pound legend Jones weighed in on their possible contest and, while acknowledging Cruz’ attributes, he ultimately agreed with the general perception that Garcia must be made a clear favourite.

“I see Pitbull being an issue for Ryan to a degree but, if Ryan can hit anybody, they got problems. So if [Cruz lets] Ryan hit him, he’ll have problems; if he can get close enough to smother Ryan’s power, Ryan will have problems.

“I lean towards Ryan, because Ryan seems to get better and better every fight. And that right hand has really gotten better. So Ryan’s got killer power in both hands now, which makes him deadly.”

Not only has Garcia’s right hand become a useful weapon but, with a height advantage of around 6in, he is also a naturally much bigger man than Cruz.

Juan Mata has become the latest high-profile figure to react to Manchester City’s financial charges verdict

Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has reacted to Manchester City’s financial charges verdict, jokingly questioning whether he may now be considered a Premier League title winner. The Spaniard was part of the United teams that finished behind City during his time at Old Trafford.

City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them when the Premier League launched its case in February 2023. However, no sanctions have yet been determined, and the Premier League is still to issue an official statement on the outcome.

A City spokesperson told MEN Sport: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

Although the process is still ongoing, a number of current and former Premier League players have shared their views on the saga. Speaking during ITV’s coverage of England’s Nations League clash with Spain, the ex-United midfielder suggested the outcome could have a direct impact on him, having spent eight years at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2022.

“Actually, directly, it affects me,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play enough games and win some trophies but I’ve never won the Premier League – or have I? I don’t know what’s going to happen but I think they’re right.

“Of course it’s fair what Rodri has said, with titles won on the pitch and I think he feels they were the better team on the pitch but who says it’s the right thing to do?”

City are expected to lodge a formal appeal against the independent panel’s verdict in their financial charges case with the Premier League. Under league rules, the club has 14 days from the decision to submit an appeal, which would then be reviewed by a three-member panel chaired by former solicitor and High Court judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom. It remains unclear whether that 14-day window has already begun.

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Any appeal would delay the implementation of potential sanctions, including fines, points deductions or other penalties. However, because the Premier League regards the appeal panel’s ruling as final, City would not be able to take the case any further or refer it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). An appeal would also not amount to a full retrial, nor would it necessarily involve all of the evidence being reheard.

On Saturday, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak penned an open letter to supporters. His comments, published on the club website, read: “I have been part of this Club for 18 years. I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul. This Club matters to me, and you have shown and told me – time and time again – how much Manchester City matters to you. This is why I am writing to you today.

“Following Friday’s media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here’s what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.

“There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies.

“I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023. Every word matters and holds true.”

Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia have offered conflicting reactions to the reported idea of them colliding as a replacement for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.

According to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, issues behind the scenes could prevent the two British heavyweights from fighting on the scheduled date of December 11.

This is in spite of their long-awaited showdown being announced earlier this week, with Fury and Joshua having seemingly agreed to lock horns at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

If their clash was to go up in smoke, however, then Turki Alalshikh may explore the possibility – or is perhaps doing so already – of organising a contest between Crawford and Garcia.

Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua could be called off due to issues, according to sources, and a replacement fight between Terence Crawford and Ryan Garcia is being considered.

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) September 25, 2026

Crawford did, of course, announce his retirement last December, calling time on a glittering career that saw him become a three-division undisputed champion.

He did so by moving up to 168lbs and dethroning Canelo Alvarez with a comprehensive unanimous decision victory, having previously won world titles at four lower divisions.

Garcia, meanwhile, is coming off a successful WBC title defence against Conor Benn, who he floored and stopped in the second round of their encounter earlier this month.

In doing so, the 28-year-old retained the world welterweight title he claimed by dethroning Mario Barrios in February and, perhaps more importantly, kept himself in the mix for a major opportunity.

He has, therefore, taken to social media and notified Alalshikh that he is prepared to face Crawford later this year.

“You know I’m ready Turki to run the fade. I’m ready!!!!”

You know I’m ready to Turki to run the fade

I’m ready!!!! 👊👊 pic.twitter.com/85sm6uvadb

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— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) September 26, 2026

Crawford, on the other hand, was a little more confused that, at 38 years old, he is being linked to a fight with Garcia.

“Damn, am I [fighting Garcia]? Why I don’t know about this?”

🤣🤣🤣 dam am I? Why I don’t know about this?

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) September 26, 2026

Crawford also replied to Coppinger’s post with, ‘Where you hear this at?’, having clearly not been told about this ambiguous plan to bring him out of retirement.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) on Saturday announced it chose Munich as Germany‘s entry to bid for at least the next three Olympic Summer Games.

Ahead of the vote, former Olympic champion and new Sports Minister Ronald Rauhe said: “We have an international task to fulfill and must enter the race with the city or region that gives Germany the greatest chances internationally. The decision on that is made by sport, and I assume that it will make it with a great deal of responsibility.”

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the Olympic bid represented a huge opportunity for all of Germany to “show that we are a land of opportunity.”

According to the Munich bid, all competitions would take place in Bavaria, except for the football matches which would be played in Stuttgart and the sailing competitions in the northern city of Kiel.

Berlin bowing out created two-horse race

Munich and a Cologne-led bid by the Rhine-Ruhr region were the only two in contention.

As many as 17.6 million tickets could be sold for the Games in Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr, more than ever before at a Games, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia said recently. 

Munich was campaigning after two failed bids for the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games and having previously hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Up until Thursday, Berlin had been among the cities in contention, but the city’s mayor announced that the city would withdraw from the race.

The withdrawal comes after the socialist Left Party’s victory in the German capital’s elections last weekend. The party’s lead candidate and potential mayor, Elif Eralp, said she did not support Berlin’s bid.

Sports minister has sights set on 2040

On Friday, Sports Minister Ronald Rauhe said he would welcome a German Olympic bid for the 2040 Games, with it coinciding with an important historical milestone.

“2040 will mark the 50th anniversary of reunification. Here we could send a great signal that also aligns with the values of the Olympic Games,” Rauhe told German news agency dpa ahead of the deciding vote on Saturday.

“Based on my personal history, 2040 would be my favorite date. That has to do with the fact that I’m a Berlin child. As a schoolchild, I experienced what happens to people when a wall falls, when people grow together again, when two population groups that had been separated become a community again,” Rauhe said. 

“Ultimately, though, one thing matters above all: bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to our country. No matter when,” Rauhe said. 

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Edited by: Sean Sinico, Wesley Dockery 

The Asian Games 2026 will enter Day 9 on September 27, with India set for another busy day across athletics, squash, shooting, badminton, boxing, archery, hockey and several other sports.

Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh will headline the day’s action as they compete in the women’s and men’s singles gold medal matches in squash. Athletics will also provide several medal opportunities, with Manju Rani and Priyanka Goswami competing in the women’s marathon race walk, while Shaili Singh, Ancy Sojan, Harita Bhadra, Unnathi Bolland, Animesh Kujur, Sarvesh Kushare, Nandhini Kongan, Annu Rani, Parul Chaudhary and Ankita feature in finals.

Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Rahi Sarnobat will begin their women’s 25m pistol campaign, while Harjinder Kaur will compete in the women’s 69kg weightlifting event. India will also be in action in badminton, archery, surfing, fencing, sailing, sepaktakraw, kurash, volleyball and women’s hockey.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9 schedule for Athletics

The athletics action begins at 4:00 AM with Manju Rani and Priyanka Goswami competing in the women’s marathon race walk final. Tejaswin Shankar and Thowfeeq Noushad will continue their men’s decathlon campaign with the 110m hurdles at 7:30 AM, followed by the discus throw at 8:10 AM and pole vault at 9:50 AM. Their javelin throw is scheduled for 3:35 PM, before the decathlon concludes with the 1500m at 5:40 PM.

Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan and Yashas Palaksha will compete in the men’s 400m hurdles heats from 8:35 AM, while Vithya Ramraj and Anu Raghavan will contest the women’s 400m hurdles heats at 9:05 AM and 9:13 AM, respectively. Sreeshankar Murali and David Solomon will be in men’s long jump qualification at 9:10 AM.

The evening session will feature several medal events. Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan will compete in the women’s long jump final at 3:25 PM, followed by Harita Bhadra and Unnathi Bolland in the women’s 200m final at 3:55 PM. Animesh Kujur will contest the men’s 200m final at 4:05 PM, while Sarvesh Kushare and J Aadarsh Ram compete in the men’s high jump final at 4:15 PM.

Nandhini Kongan will compete in the women’s 100m hurdles final at 4:53 PM. Mohammed Afsal and Krishan Kumar will feature in the men’s 800m heats from 5:06 PM. Annu Rani will contest the women’s javelin throw final at 5:33 PM, while Parul Chaudhary and Ankita will compete in the women’s 3000m steeplechase final at 5:52 PM. India’s women’s 4x100m relay team will then compete in the heats from 6:15 PM.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9 schedule for Squash and Shooting

India has two major gold-medal opportunities in squash. Abhay Singh will face Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow in the men’s singles gold medal match at 12:30 PM. Anahat Singh will then take on Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in the women’s singles gold medal match at 1:30 PM.

Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Rahi Sarnobat will compete in the women’s 25m pistol individual qualification at 6:10 AM. The Indian women’s team will also compete in the team precision final at the same session.

The men’s and women’s trap competitions of Asian Games 2026 will begin at 6:30 AM. Ahvar Rizvi, Kynan Chenai and Shapath Bharadwaj will compete in the men’s event, while Manisha Keer, Aashima Ahlawat and Neeru will represent India in the women’s event.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9 schedule for Badminton

Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will face Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan in the women’s doubles quarterfinal at around 6:00 AM. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will face China’s Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dongping in the mixed doubles quarterfinal at 6:10 AM.

Unnati Hooda will take on Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the women’s singles quarterfinal at 8:00 AM. PV Sindhu is also scheduled for a women’s singles quarterfinal from 9:30 AM, subject to qualification.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9 schedule for Archery, surfing and sepaktakraw

India’s compound men’s and women’s teams will begin their elimination rounds at 4:45 AM. The men’s compound team faces the United Arab Emirates, while the women’s compound team takes on Mongolia.

Sugar Shanti Gayen will compete in the women’s shortboard Round 2 of Asian Games 2026 at 4:54 AM, while Sivaraj Babu is scheduled for the men’s shortboard Round 2 at 5:50 AM. Kamali Prakash is also scheduled to compete in the women’s shortboard Round 2.

India’s women’s doubles sepaktakraw team will face South Korea at 5:30 AM before taking on the Philippines at 11:30 AM. The compound mixed team will also be in action at 7:30 AM.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9 schedule for Boxing, fencing and weightlifting

Ankush will face Tajikistan’s Nekruz Salimov in the men’s 80kg quarterfinal of Asian Games 2026 at 9:45 AM. Parveen will take on Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova in the women’s 65kg quarterfinal at 2:00 PM.

Sachin Siwach will face Japan’s Shunsuke Kitamoto in the men’s 60kg quarterfinal at 2:45 PM, while Narender will meet Thailand’s Adthapong Saengtep in the men’s 90+kg quarterfinal at 3:45 PM.

CA Bhavani Devi and Shreya Gupta will lead India’s women’s sabre team against Indonesia in the Table of 16 at 8:20 AM. Harjinder Kaur will compete in the women’s 69kg weightlifting event at 10:00 AM.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9 schedule for Hockey, volleyball and others

The Indian women’s hockey team will face Singapore in a Pool B match at 3:30 PM. The men’s volleyball team will take on Vietnam in a Pool C match at 12:30 PM.

Hriday Chheda and Jai Sud will compete in individual dressage at 6:00 AM. India’s sailors will also be in action, with Prince Noble and Manu Francis competing in the men’s skiff/49er races from 10:30 AM, while Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma compete in the women’s skiff/49er FX races from 10:40 AM.

In kurash, Sangita and Bharti will compete in the women’s 57kg category, while Yash Kumar Chauhan and Vishal will feature in the men’s +90kg category from the morning session and later rounds.

Asian Games 2026 Day 9: Key medal events for India

The biggest medal opportunities for India on September 27 will come in squash, athletics, shooting and weightlifting.

Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh will compete for gold in squash, while Harjinder Kaur will contest the women’s 69kg weightlifting event. Athletics will offer multiple medal opportunities through the women’s marathon race walk, women’s long jump, men’s and women’s 200m, men’s high jump, women’s 100m hurdles, women’s javelin and women’s 3000m steeplechase.