India retain kabaddi gold after thrilling 37-34 win over Iran
Nagoya, Sep 26 (UNI) India survived a spirited Iranian fightback to retain the women's kabaddi gold at the Asian Games, edging their 2018 conquerors 37-34 in a tense final here on Saturday and securing their fourth continental title.
The defending champions appeared firmly in control after taking a 22-16 lead into the interval and inflicting an all-out on Iran, but the final turned into a nerve-racking contest after the break as the Iranian side mounted a determined comeback. India led 27-22 when Iran produced its biggest surge of the match. Atena Madadi came up with a four-point raid to reduce the deficit to 27-26, bringing Iran within touching distance of the defending champions.
It was the closest Iran came to taking the lead. India responded by tightening their defence and producing crucial plays when the pressure was mounting. Sanju then delivered a two-point raid, catching two Iranian players, to restore India's advantage. Pushpa Rana followed it with a crucial tackle as India moved 34-28 ahead with around four minutes remaining. Iran continued to fight and the second half belonged statistically to the challengers, who outscored India 18-15. But the six-point cushion India had built before the break proved decisive as the defending champions held their composure through the closing exchanges. India had earlier entered the final unbeaten, topping their group after victories over Bangladesh, Iran and hosts Japan before defeating Nepal 48-24 in the semifinal.
The victory was especially significant given the identity of the opponent. Iran had ended India's run of women's kabaddi titles at the 2018 Jakarta Games, beating them in the final to claim their only gold in the event. India had won the titles in 2010 and 2014, returned to the top in 2022 and have now successfully defended the crown in Aichi-Nagoya. Women's kabaddi made its Asian Games debut in 2010, and India have now won four of the five editions in which the event has been held.
The triumph was India's third gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Games, following the women's cricket team's title and the mixed 10m air pistol gold. India's men's kabaddi team will have an opportunity to complete a golden double later on Saturday when they take on Iran in the men's final. For the Indian women, the gold was secured only after surviving their toughest examination of the tournament - dominating the opening half, surrendering much of that advantage after the break and then producing the decisive raids and tackles when the title was on the line.
UNI BDN
