India Women Retain Asian Games Kabaddi Gold With 37-34 Thriller Over Iran
India's women held off an Iran fightback to win the Asian Games kabaddi final 37-34 in Aichi and defend the title they won in 2022.
India's women's kabaddi team are Asian champions again. In a tense gold medal match on Saturday, 26 September, at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, India beat Iran 37-34 to retain the title they won at Hangzhou 2022.
How the final unfolded
India controlled the first half. According to the Pro Kabaddi website, they led 22-16 at the break, built on 16 raid points, three bonus points and one all-out. An all-out happens when a team gets every player on the opposing side out, which earns bonus points.
Iran came back strongly after the break. They outscored India 18-15 in the second half and completed an all-out of their own, closing the gap to just 27-26.
India then responded:
- Sanju Devi made a crucial super raid that swung the momentum back to India
- Captain Pushpa Rana completed a vital all-out to rebuild the lead
- Pooja took advantage of hesitation in the Iranian defence to push India further ahead
ANI reported that the contest was effectively sealed in the final minute, when India's defence made a crucial tackle on Iran's Aynaz.
A rivalry with history
This rivalry matters. India have dominated women's kabaddi at the Asian Games, but Iran are the only other nation to have won the gold medal. They beat India 27-24 in the 2018 final in Jakarta. According to Outlook India, Saturday's win gives India their fourth women's gold in the event, and their second in a row.
Road to the final
India reached the final with a 48-24 semi-final win over Nepal. Under Asian Games rules, both losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals, so Nepal leave Aichi with a medal as well.
The women's tournament had eight nations: Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Iran, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
India's squad
ANI listed the gold-winning squad as Pooja, Raj Rani, Sonali Vishnu Shingate, Pushpa, Bhavna Devi, Ritu, Sanju Devi, Ritu Negi, Manisha Kumari, Pinki Roy, Jyoti and Nikita.
Men's final still to come
Kabaddi's Asian Games programme ends later on Saturday with the men's gold medal match, also between India and Iran. It is scheduled for 2:30pm Indian time (5pm in Malaysia). India reached that final by beating Thailand 66-28 in the semi-finals.
The men's competition had 10 teams, including Malaysia, whose campaign ended at the group stage. The event ran from 21 to 26 September.
Key takeaways
- India beat Iran 37-34 to retain the Asian Games women's kabaddi gold.
- India led 22-16 at half-time before Iran cut the gap to 27-26.
- Sanju Devi, captain Pushpa Rana and Pooja made the decisive plays.
- The men's final, also India vs Iran, follows later on 26 September.
FAQ
Who won women's kabaddi gold at the 2026 Asian Games? India, after beating Iran 37-34 in the final in Aichi, Japan.
Has Iran ever beaten India in an Asian Games final? Yes. Iran won the 2018 women's final 27-24, and they are the only team other than India to win the event.
Who won bronze? Both losing semi-finalists get bronze medals, including Nepal, who lost 48-24 to India.
Sources: Pro Kabaddi, ANI, Outlook India, Olympics.com, Wikipedia