Published: September 26, 2026 at 1:19 pm
India’s women’s kabaddi team successfully defended their Asian Games title with a 37–34 win over Iran in the gold medal match at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium on Saturday, sealing back-to-back golds and India’s third gold medal of the 2026 Games.
Unlike India’s more routine outings through the tournament, this final was a genuine contest from start to finish. India edged the raiding exchanges 26 out points to 21, but Iran hit back hard on bonus points, picking up eight to India’s six, keeping the tie in the balance deep into the second half.
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India took the first half 22-16, built on 16 out points, three bonus points and one All-Out, both of which came in India’s favour after the sides were locked toe-to-toe before India forced the match’s first All-Out. Iran stayed within range through the half courtesy of seven bonus points but couldn’t convert that into scoreboard pressure before the break.
Iran came out swinging after the restart, outscoring India 18–15 in the second half.
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Under pressure, Ritu Negi executed a brilliant thigh hold on Saniya for a super tackle when India were down to just two on the mat. Pooja also kept picking up decisive points to keep India from being cleaned out. But Iran converted an All-Out opportunity in their favour to close the gap to a single point at 27–26.
India, however, held their nerve under pressure: Sanju Devi’s super raid swung momentum back in India’s favour, before captain Pushpa Rana sealed an All-Out of her own to restore breathing room.
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Pooja then capitalised on visible uncertainty in the Iranian defence to further extend the lead. Iran refused to fold, chipping away with a Super Tackle as well as 14 out points in the half, but it wasn’t enough to deny India at the finish.
With the win, India retain their Asian Games women’s kabaddi crown, extending their gold medal streak and closing out the campaign with the country’s third gold of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Indian women celebrate their win in the final against Iran on Saturday. Pics: X
“We never thought we might lose, our plan was to fight right till the end and win,” India captain Pushpa Rana said after the match. “We have played them before and knew they can pose a tough challenge,” she said, applauding the Iran team for a close match.
India and Iran will also face off in the Asian Games 2026 men’s kabaddi gold medal match later in the day.
