India’s women’s kabaddi team scripted history on Saturday, clinching its fourth Asian Games gold medal after defeating Iran 37-34 in a thrilling final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
The defending champions survived a spirited fightback from Iran to hold their nerve in a tense closing phase and secure another gold for India. The victory came after India had booked its place in the final with a convincing 48-24 win over Nepal in the semi-final.
The gold was India’s third at the 2026 Asian Games, with cricket and shooting also contributing to the country’s medal tally.
A still from the Kabaddi match
India dominate first half
India began the final strongly, taking an early 3-1 lead, but Iran quickly responded to move 6-5 ahead. The contest remained closely fought before India levelled at 7-7 and regained the advantage at 10-9 following a crucial raid by Pooja.
India then stepped up the pressure and secured the first all-out of the match, with Bhavna Devi playing an important role as the defending champions moved 13-10 ahead.
Nikita subsequently added two points after a successful review, while Sanju Devi produced another multiple-point raid to extend India’s advantage to 18-12. India carried that momentum into the interval, taking a commanding 22-12 lead and appearing firmly in control of the contest.
Iran launch stunning comeback
The complexion of the final changed after the restart as Iran returned with renewed intensity and began eating into India’s lead.
Iran reduced the deficit to 23-19 before India responded with a crucial super tackle to move 25-20 ahead. However, the match soon developed into a tense see-saw battle.
Iran then mounted a major comeback, completing an all-out to bring India’s lead down to just one point at 27-26 with eight minutes remaining. With the pressure mounting, Sanju Devi once again produced a vital contribution to help India restore a three-point cushion at 30-27.
India’s defence then proved decisive in the closing stages. The defenders repeatedly denied Iran easy scoring opportunities, allowing the defending champions to maintain their narrow advantage.
Iran concedes defeat to Indian Kabaddi team
With only seconds remaining, India led 37-33. Iran managed one final point, but it was not enough to change the outcome as India held on for a 37-34 victory and another Asian Games gold.
India continue kabaddi dominance
India had earlier defeated Iran, Bangladesh and Japan in the group stage before progressing through the knockout rounds.
Women’s kabaddi was introduced at the Asian Games in 2010, and India have remained the dominant force in the event. Saturday’s triumph marked their fourth gold medal in five editions. Iran are the only other country to have won the women’s kabaddi gold at the Asian Games, claiming the title in 2018, when India had to settle for bronze.
The Indian women’s team’s latest triumph further underlined the country’s long-standing dominance in Asian Games kabaddi. Later in the day, India’s men’s kabaddi team is also scheduled to take the court, with another Asian Games gold medal at stake.