Asian Games 2026: India Beat Iran 37-34 to Retain Women’s Kabaddi Gold in Thrilling Final

India survived a fiercely contested final against Iran to win the women’s kabaddi gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, edging their opponents 37-34 in a dramatic encounter.

The victory gave India another gold medal in Japan and underlined the team’s ability to withstand pressure when the contest remained undecided deep into the second half. Unlike several of India’s earlier kabaddi matches in the tournament, the final was a closely fought battle from start to finish. Iran repeatedly challenged India’s defence, produced important tackles and stayed within touching distance throughout the match.

India eventually created the decisive gap in the final minutes before closing out a three-point victory.

Iran got the final underway through Aynaz Faramarzi, who immediately put a point on the board. India responded through Sanju Devi, who collected two touch points to give India an early 3-1 lead. The opening minutes quickly demonstrated that this would be a much tighter contest than India’s previous matches. Iran levelled the score at 5-5 after stopping Sanju from crossing the midline in a successful Super Tackle.

At 7-7, neither side was able to establish control. India’s defensive unit then began to create opportunities, but Iran continued to find points through its raiders. Saniya Naeimi emerged as one of Iran’s most effective raiders and repeatedly tested the Indian defence.

The first major turning point came when India inflicted the first All Out of the match. Bhavna Devi initiated the tackle that completed the All Out, giving India a 13-10 advantage.

Iran, however, refused to allow India to pull away. With less than five minutes remaining in the opening half, Iran reduced the deficit to three points at 15-12. India responded through Sanju, who produced another multi-point raid, stretching her hand across the midline while being pushed towards the boundary.

The officials awarded India bonus plus two points, moving the score to 18-12. Iran continued to collect bonus points and maintain pressure, while India’s defence produced important tackles. A review was also taken over a potential Iranian bonus point before India retained the advantage.

Sanju was eventually caught by Atena Madadi, but India went into the interval with a 22-16 lead. The six-point advantage gave India some breathing room, but Iran had shown enough in the opening 20 minutes to suggest that the gold medal was far from decided.

Iran Fight Back After the Break

The second half began with India’s captain Pushpa Rana being sent to the bench after Iran successfully completed a tackle. Naeimi continued to be a major threat for Iran, collecting another point and forcing Bhavna Devi to sit out. Iran’s defensive pressure also increased. Nikita was caught by the Iranian defence, although the Indian raider appeared to be in discomfort following the tackle before walking away with a slight limp. India led 23-20 before producing an important Super Tackle. With only two Indian players on the mat, Naeimi was trapped and India added two points to move 25-20 ahead.

Pooja then gave India another crucial point with a touch, although tensions briefly rose after an Iranian player pushed the Indian raider over the midline in an attempt to run down time. India remained five points ahead at 26-21, but the match was about to enter its most dramatic phase.

Iran produced a remarkable fightback. Atena Madadi helped Iran inflict an All Out on India, getting the two remaining Indian players on the mat out. The development reduced India’s advantage to just one point at 27-26. The Iranian bench and players celebrated as the final suddenly became a one-possession contest.

Madadi then added another point to make it 28-27. India responded with a bonus point from Sanju, restoring a two-point advantage at 30-27.

With less than five minutes remaining, the final remained completely open.

Sanju then produced one of the most important raids of the match. Her multi-point raid helped India move to 33-28 and finally began to create some separation.

Iran was reduced to two players when Pooja touched Zahra Astereki and successfully crossed the midline, giving India another crucial point. The score moved to 35-29 with India within touching distance of the gold medal. Iran continued to fight, but India had managed to withstand the most dangerous phase of the contest.

The final minutes were played with immense intensity as both teams looked for the points that could change the outcome.

India Close Out a Dramatic Final

India eventually held their nerve to finish the contest 37-34. The three-point victory secured another Asian Games gold medal for the Indian women’s kabaddi team and added another title to India’s campaign in Japan. The final scoreline reflected how competitive the contest had been. India led by six points at half-time, but Iran repeatedly reduced the deficit and even came within a single point at 27-26 after the All Out.

India’s ability to respond during those critical moments proved decisive. Sanju Devi was central to India’s attacking effort, while Pooja and the defensive unit contributed important points at crucial stages. The team also had to withstand Iran’s sustained pressure and the threat posed by Naeimi and Madadi.

In the end, India emerged with a 37-34 victory and the women’s kabaddi gold.

It was a final that demanded composure until the very last whistle—and India delivered when it mattered most.