Asian Games 2026: India Beat Iran 37-34 to Retain Women’s Kabaddi Gold

Nagoya, September 26: India successfully defended its women's kabaddi title at the Asian Games 2026, overcoming a spirited challenge from Iran to win the gold medal 37-34 in a closely fought final at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium on Saturday.

India started the contest with authority and went into the interval holding a 22-16 advantage. The Indian raiders and defenders combined effectively to establish an early cushion, while an All-Out further strengthened their position before the break.

Iran, however, returned from the interval with renewed intensity and quickly turned the final into a tense battle. The Iranian side outscored India 18-15 in the second half and reduced the deficit to just one point at 27-26 after securing an All-Out.

With the pressure mounting, India showed composure at a crucial stage of the contest. Sanju Devi produced a Super Raid to shift the momentum back in India's favour, while captain Pushpa Rana followed it up by helping secure another All-Out and restoring a four-point advantage.

Pooja then took advantage of gaps in the Iranian defence to add further points and keep India in control. Iran continued to fight until the closing moments, with a Super Tackle and 14 out points in the second half keeping their hopes alive. India, though, held firm to secure the victory.

The Indian side finished the match with 26 out points compared to Iran's 21, while Iran had the edge in bonus points, collecting eight against India's six.

The victory marked India's fourth women's kabaddi gold in Asian Games history and extended its reign as continental champions. It also gave the country its third gold medal at the 2026 Games.

India's first gold came in the women's cricket event, while the mixed shooting team contributed the second. The women's kabaddi triumph adds another major achievement to India's campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, with the team once again proving its ability to withstand pressure on the biggest continental stage.