Meet top Indian women’s Kabaddi players, who showed a brilliant to make India win against Iran to secure a gold medal in the Asian Games 2026
Published: September 26, 2026, 12:35 PM IST
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India defeat Iran in women’s Kabaddi to win gold in the Asian Games 2026
The Indian women’s Kabaddi team showed a brilliant performance in the Asian Games 2026 as they faced Iran in the finals, where they defeated them to win the third gold in the Asian Games 2026.
The Indian side showcased their brilliance in the finals as they continued their strategy, which was implemented in their past matchesThe final clash was a little intense and the final score of the match was really close, 37-34India defeated 2018 champions Iran to secure their third gold in the ongoing event, so far.
The match started with both teams fighting for every pointThe score was 5-5 after four minutesIran then took a 6-5 lead after making a good tackle on Sanju.
India quickly came back and started scoring more pointsPooja helped India get a point, while Iran were down to one playerBhavna Devi then made a good tackle as India got the first all-out and moved ahead 13-10.
Nikita then got more points from her raid to help India take a 15-10 leadSanju also scored three points with a bonus and two more pointsIndia went into half-time with a 22-16 lead.
Team India’s women put Iran under immense pressure and force an ALL OUT in the first half of the Women’s Kabaddi gold medal match!
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Iran came back strongly in the second half and started reducing India’s leadIndia were left with only two players on the mat, but they made a good tackle and took a 25-20 lead with 10 minutes left.
Iran kept fighting and did not let India get too far aheadZahra Karimi made some important tackles for IranIran later got an all-out against India with Madadi scoring two points to make it 27-26India were still ahead with eight minutes left.
India stayed calm in the final minutesSanju scored two points from a raid to make it 34-28Pooja then added another point as India kept their leadIndia finally closed the match 37-34 and won the gold medal.
Well, it’s time to find out about the top players of this match as Pooja and Sanju Devi showcased a brilliant performance in this final clashLet’s look at their top achievement throughout their career.
Pooja is a kabaddi player from Hathwala village in Jind, HaryanaShe plays as a left-side raider and wears jersey number 09She plays for the Indian Railways teamPooja won a gold medal with India at the 2022 Asian GamesShe also helped India win gold at the 2025 Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship in IranShe was in the Indian team that won the 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World CupShe got the Arjuna Award in 2025 for her good play.
Sanju Devi is a kabaddi raider from Kerakachhar village in Korba district, ChhattisgarhShe was born on 19 December 2002She is the first woman kabaddi player from Chhattisgarh to play for IndiaSanju started playing kabaddi in school and later trained at a special academy in BilaspurShe won a gold medal with India at the 2025 Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship in IranShe also helped India win the 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Bangladesh and was named the Most Valuable Player of that tournament.
