In the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/asian-games-2026-indian-womens-relay-team-clinches-gold-in-4x400m-event-men-bag-bronze-medal-23652503" rel="nofollow">Asian Games 2026</a>, the Indian women's team won a record-extending fourth kabaddi title. The side registered a victory by 37-34 over Iran in the title clash.
Following the triumph, Maharashtra's Sonali Shingate received a warm welcome as she returned to the Santacruz Railway Colony in Mumbai.
People celebrated her achievement by dancing to the beats of dhol.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/asian-games-2026-pincky-balhara-bags-bronze-in-kurash-23652396" rel="nofollow">India</a> has now won the women's kabaddi title in every edition of the continental event since the sport was introduced in Guangzhou 2010. The only time India didn't win the title was in 2018, when Iran secured a victory in the Jakarta final.
In the 2026 edition's final, India was in total control of the game as the side held a lead by 22-16, but later, Iran bounced back in the second half and reduced the deficit to 26-27.
Leading 27-22, India saw the advantage almost disappear when Iran's Atena Madadi produced a four-point raid to make it 26-27. It was the closest Iran came to taking the lead, as India's defence regained its composure to keep the opponents at bay.
The Iranian team, which had only one player from the previous edition, did not manage to go ahead in the game.
India's lead was yet again reduced when Pinki failed to hold a raider while attempting to tackle. Sanju then produced a two-point raid by catching two Iranian players and restored her side's advantage.
Pushpa Rana then produced a crucial tackle on the next Iranian raid as India moved 34-28 ahead with four minutes remaining.
India had inflicted an all-out on Iran in the first half, while the Iranian side returned the favour in the second, but the Indian defence held firm in the closing stages to secure the gold medal in the women's <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/asian-games-2026-indian-mens-kabaddi-team-reach-semifinals-by-beating-chinese-taipei-37-21-23651633" rel="nofollow">kabaddi</a> event at the Asian Games 2026.
Following the triumph, the Indian players took a victory lap of the arena and chanted "Vande Mataram".
India has dominated the sport in the marquee event, with the men's and women's teams accounting for the gold medal in all editions except for one.
The men's team had won seven consecutive gold medals before the run was halted at Jakarta 2018, where Iran emerged champions and India finished fourth. The Indian men bounced back at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, reclaiming the title.
(With PTI Inputs)

Asian Games 2026: Following the triumph, Maharashtra`s Sonali Shingate received a warm welcome as she returned to the Santacruz Railway Colony in Mumbai

Asian Games 2026: Sonali Shingate receives warm welcome after India's kabaddi triumph in continental event

Asian Games 2026: Gulveer Singh wins bronze medal in 5000m race

Following the triumph, Maharashtra's Sonali Shingate received a warm welcome as she returned to the Santacruz Railway Colony in Mumbai

Asian Games 2026: Sonali Shingate receives warm welcome after India's kabaddi triumph

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