India Sweeps Kabaddi Gold at Asian Youth Games

India reaffirmed its dominance in youth kabaddi by sweeping both the boys’ and girls’ gold medals at the 2025 Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain. With commanding performances across the board, both Indian U-18 teams emerged unbeaten champions, underlining the country’s strong pipeline of kabaddi talent and securing a major highlight in India’s overall medal tally.

Girls’ Team Sets Record in Final

• The Indian girls’ team crushed Iran 75–21 in the final, not only winning gold but also recording the largest victory margin in an Asian Youth Games kabaddi final since 2013.
• Neha Patel, the standout raider, scored 28 points, leading a relentless offensive.
• Riya Singh anchored the defence with key tackles, ensuring Iran couldn’t mount a comeback after a tight first half.
• Across five matches, the team scored 312 points and conceded only 89, showcasing total control throughout the tournament.
• This dominant display highlighted the technical maturity and athletic superiority of India’s youth girls’ kabaddi squad.

Boys’ Team Holds Nerve in Thriller

• The boys’ final was a contrasting affair — a tense, 35–32 win over Iran in a match that went down to the wire.
• The Indian boys displayed resilience and composure, especially in the final minutes where each raid and tackle counted.
• Both teams showcased tactical finesse, with Iran pressing hard and India keeping cool under pressure to seal the win.
• This close-fought victory added emotional weight to India’s kabaddi triumph and reflected the growing competitiveness of kabaddi across Asia.

Event Highlights and Venue

• The kabaddi matches were held at the Isa Sports City Arena in Riffa, one of the key venues of the 2025 Asian Youth Games.
• This year’s Games featured athletes aged 14–18 from across the continent, competing in a range of sports designed to foster early sporting excellence and international camaraderie.