Asian Games 2026: India Women Win Kabaddi Gold, Beat Iran 37-33

The Indian women’s kabaddi side won their gold medal game against Iran by 37-34 on September 26, 2026, in a very tight match that took place in Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture. This victory marked the fourth women’s kabaddi gold medal for India in the history of Asian Games. India had finished on top of Group A and won the semifinal against Nepal by 48-24. It was India’s third gold medal of 2026 Asian Games at the time when India played in the final.

India Holds Back Iran in a Dramatic Finish

India started off well and took the lead during the first half. They were leading 22-16 in the first half, although Iran did not surrender and narrowed down the gap in the second half.

The second half turned into an intense competition as Iran continuously tested India’s defences. At one time, Iran managed to reduce the gap to a single point after putting in everything, leaving the scoreline as 27-26.

India reacted to Iran through vital raids and defences. Sanju Devi played an integral part as India managed to take back the lead and go on to lead 30-27 and 32-27.

The Indian defenders managed to keep their cool even in the last few seconds. Just when there were a few seconds left on the clock, India was leading 37-33, ultimately winning by a four-point margin.

India’s Unbeatable Asian Games 2026 Team

India reached the final round after winning all of its games.

The women’s team started its Group A games with a 42-21 win over Bangladesh, followed by victories against Iran and Japan. Then, India beat Nepal 48-24 in the semifinal stage and advanced into the gold medal final.

A win for India in the final made the Asian Games 2026 see another repeat of the 2018 final when Iran had beaten India 27-24.

India’s Women’s Kabaddi Asian Games Record

Kabaddi for women was made a medal event in the Asian Games in 2010. India managed to win the gold medal in the first two instances, which were in Guangzhou in 2010 and Incheon in 2014. India got the silver medal in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, with Iran winning the gold.

India bounced back in the top position again in Hangzhou 2022 by beating Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final match. The gold medal in 2026, therefore, marks India’s four gold medals from their five appearances in the Asian Games women’s kabaddi category.