Indian Women's Kabaddi Team Clinches Gold at 2026 Asian Games

Nagoya: A Historic Victory for India

In a thrilling final at the 2026 Asian Games, the Indian women's kabaddi team showcased their exceptional skills, securing the gold medal once again. On September 26, India triumphed over Iran with a score of 37-34, marking a remarkable achievement. The match was intense from the start, with both teams displaying fierce competition right up to the final moments.

India's Resilience Under Pressure

Throughout the final, the score remained closely contested. The Iranian team applied significant pressure on the Indian players at various points, yet the Indian squad maintained their composure. In crucial moments, they managed to score vital points, turning the tide in their favor.

In the closing minutes, Iran made a few critical errors. At one point, two Iranian raiders entered the court simultaneously, which proved detrimental to their team. India capitalized on these opportunities, maintaining their lead and ultimately winning the match 37-34.

Controversial Refereeing Decisions

The final also saw some contentious decisions from the referees. In one instance, India was denied points despite crossing the midline during a tackle by an Iranian defender. Additionally, there were claims that certain rough tackles did not result in penalties. Despite these challenges, the Indian team kept their focus intact.

Fourth Gold Medal in Women's Kabaddi

With this victory, the Indian women's kabaddi team has now won the gold medal at the Asian Games for the fourth time. Previously, they secured gold in the 2010, 2014, and 2022 editions. In the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, however, they had to settle for a silver medal.

Excluding 2018, the Indian women's kabaddi team has claimed gold in every edition of the Asian Games where women's kabaddi was included, reaffirming their dominance by defeating Iran once again.

Celebration of Victory

Following their victory in the final, the Indian players celebrated exuberantly on the field. They paraded around the arena, chanting 'Vande Mataram.' This win added another golden chapter to India's medal campaign.

The team, led by captain Pushpa Rana, included players such as Ritu Negi, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Shyoran, Jyoti Thakur, Pinky Roy, Manisha Kumari, Bhavna Thakur, Rajrani, and Nikita Kumari.

India's Gold Medal Win

With a score of 37-34, India has once again claimed the gold medal in women's kabaddi, defeating Iran.