On Saturday, India’s daughters made history on the Asian Games kabaddi mat. In a thrilling gold medal match, the Indian women’s team defeated Iran 37–34 to secure the gold.
The victory, achieved by a margin of three points in the decisive match, showcased the Indian players’ fighting spirit, strategic acumen, and ability to perform under pressure. India had previously defeated Iran 37–23 in the group stage as well.
**Nikita Proves Her Mettle at the Asian Games**
Nikita Kumari from Gurugram was part of the Indian team that achieved this historic victory. The 17-year-old hails from Hasangarh village in the Hansi district of Haryana and is a first-year student at Dronacharya Government College, Gurugram. She is among the youngest players on the Indian women’s team. Competing on such a major international stage at the senior level for the first time, Nikita demonstrated great confidence and sporting prowess.
During the group match against Iran, she executed two crucial ‘super raids’ under pressure, and not a single one of her raids went unsuccessful. Even after sustaining an injury during the final, she did not leave the field but continued to compete.
**Playing Kabaddi Since Age Eight**
Years of hard work lie behind Nikita’s achievement. She began practicing kabaddi at the age of just eight at the government school in Hasangarh. She has previously captained the Indian team at the Under-18 level and led them to a gold medal victory.
Now, winning Asian Games gold while wearing the senior Indian team jersey has become a major milestone in her sporting journey.
**Coach Dr. Sunil Dabas Extends Congratulations**
Kabaddi expert Dr. Sunil Dabas—who trained Nikita and is a recipient of the Padma Shri and Dronacharya Award—congratulated the Indian women’s team on winning the gold medal. While specifically congratulating Nikita, he remarked that securing a spot on a major stage like the Asian Games—and becoming part of the team’s golden journey—at such a young age is a testament to her hard work.
The confidence with which Nikita has carved out a place for herself among senior players serves as an inspiration to other young athletes. The entire Indian team demonstrated an excellent balance of composure and aggression during high-pressure moments.
This achievement by the Indian women’s team signifies much more than just a gold medal on the field. Young players like Nikita send a powerful message that one can rise from a small village to reach the international stage.
It is worth noting that India had previously won three gold medals in women’s kabaddi at the Asian Games. The team had also secured gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, and this time, they not only successfully defended their title but also continued their golden run.
