Another gold for India! Women’s kabaddi team beat Iran to win Asian Games title

Indian players react after winning the women’s kabaddi final at the Asian Games in Tokai City, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) India defeated Iran 37-33 to clinch the women’s kabaddi gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, adding another gold to the country’s medal tally.The win marks India’s fourth gold medal in women’s kabaddi at the Asian Games. The Indian team had previously won gold in 2010, 2014 and 2022, while they finished second in 2018.India entered the final as the defending champions after defeating Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the gold medal match at the Hangzhou Games.Gold also adds to India’s productive morning on September 26. Before the kabaddi final, Sawan Barwal won silver in the men’s marathon, while Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen and Vidarsa Vinod claimed silver in the women’s 50m rifle 3-position team event. Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar also secured bronze in squash mixed doubles.Barwal clocked 2:11:37 to end India’s 44-year wait for a men’s marathon medal at the Asian Games. It was India’s first medal since the 1982 Delhi Games.In shooting, the Indian trio of Ashi, Tilottama and Vidars finished second in the women’s 50m 3-position team event. Tilottama and Vidarsa also advanced to the singles final, while Ashi missed out after finishing 15th in the qualifiers.Joshna and Velavan secured bronze in the squash mixed doubles after reaching the semi-finals. They defeated David Pelin and Jemyca Aribad of the Philippines 11-3, 11-5 in the quarterfinals before losing to Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong in a close semifinal.India entered Saturday with 26 medals — two gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze — to sit 12th in the standings. The women’s kabaddi gold brought India 27 medals: three gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze.The Indian men’s kabaddi team will also fight for gold later on Saturday, taking on Iran in the men’s final. Both the Indian teams entered the games as defending champions.