Jakarta: Traditional powerhouse India returned without a gold in kabaddi for the first time in the history of the Asian Games after Iran shocked their women’s team in the final to join their male counterparts in walking away with the top honours here on Friday.
The Iranian women came from behind to shock India 27-24, emulating their male counterparts, who had shocked seven-time champions India in the semifinals on Friday.
Later in the day, the Iran men’s team defeated Korea 26-16 in the final to claim their maiden gold.
The defeat means India now will return without a gold medal from the Asian Games for the first time ever since this sport made its debut at the continental event in Beijing back in the year 1990.
The men’s team had won seven straight titles while women’s were two-time defending champions at the Asian Games.
The Indian women led 13-11 at the halfway break but defensive errors in the second half cost the team dearly.
Iran enforced an all out on India in the second half but the Indian raiders were never that effective and played catching up game.
After the change of ends, the Iranians scored six points in a row to take 17-13 lead with an all out.
With just two minutes to go, Sakshi Kumari earned two points with a successful raid to make it 24-25 but the Iranians held their nerves to prevail.
