India retain Asian Games women's kabaddi gold with 37-34 win over Iran

The Indian women’s kabaddi team successfully defended their Asian Games title with a 37–34 victory over Iran in the gold-medal match at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium on Saturday. The final proved far more competitive than India’s earlier, more routine outings in the tournament.

India held an edge in raiding, registering 26 out points to Iran’s 21, while Iran responded with eight bonus points to India’s six, a combination that kept the scoreline tight deep into the second half. Those scoring patterns set up a match in which small momentum swings proved decisive.

India led 22-16 at half-time, a cushion built on 16 out points, three bonus points and one All-Out. The sides had been level before India forced the match’s first All-Out; Iran’s seven bonus points in the opening period kept them within striking distance but did not produce scoreboard pressure before the break.

Iran began the second half strongly, outscoring India 18–15 and narrowing the gap to 27–26 after converting an All-Out in their favour. Sanju Devi then produced a super raid that shifted momentum back towards India.

Captain Pushpa Rana followed by sealing an All-Out to restore breathing room for India, and Pooja later capitalised on visible uncertainty in the Iranian defence to push the lead further. Iran continued to fight, registering a Super Tackle and 14 out points in the second half, but could not overturn India’s lead.

India held on to complete the 37–34 victory despite Iran’s late surge. The win secured India the women’s kabaddi gold at the 2026 Asian Games.

With the triumph India retain their Asian Games women’s kabaddi crown and extend their gold-medal run, closing out the campaign with the country’s third gold of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games.