India beat Iran 37-34 to win women’s kabaddi gold at Asian Games

India retained the women's kabaddi gold at the Asian Games on Saturday after edging past Iran 37-34 in a closely fought final.

The defending champions looked in control early and went into the half-time break with a 22-16 lead. Iran, however, came back strongly after the interval and turned the contest into a tense finish.

The Iranian side reduced India's advantage to just one point at 27-26 with around eight minutes remaining, putting the defending champions under sustained pressure.

India responded when it mattered most, tightening their defence and keeping Iran from completing the comeback. A crucial tackle in the closing stages helped India protect their lead and seal another Asian Games title.

The victory marked India's third gold medal of the ongoing Asian Games and continued the country's strong record in women's kabaddi. India had won the title in 2010, 2014 and 2022, while Iran ended its run in the 2018 Jakarta Games.

India had entered Saturday's final unbeaten. They defeated Bangladesh and Iran in the group stage before overcoming Nepal 48-24 in the semifinal to set up another clash with Iran.

The final was also a reversal of the 2018 result, when Iran beat India 27-24 to claim its only women's kabaddi gold at the Asian Games.

India's win takes its gold-medal tally in the women's event to four. The Indian women's team will now leave the tournament with another title after successfully defending the crown won at the previous edition.

The Indian men's kabaddi team will also face Iran later on Saturday in the men's gold-medal match, giving India a chance to complete a kabaddi double at the Games.