The Indian ladies’s kabaddi workforce gamers struggled to carry again their tears after beating Chinese Taipei within the ultimate of the Asian Games. In what was a nail-biting encounter, India edged their opponents 26-25 to say the gold medal, which was additionally India’s a centesimal on the Hangzhou Games. After the referee blew the full-time whistle, the Indian gamers broke down as tears of pleasure flowed down their cheeks. Players hugged one another and celebrated the historic second for the nation.

This was India’s third gold in ladies’s kabaddi which was launched within the 2010 Asian Games. India gained gold within the 2010 and 2014 editions however settled for a silver in 2018 after shedding to Iran within the ultimate.

This time the Indians confronted Chinese Taipei, an rising kabaddi nation, in what turned out to be an edge-of-the-seat summit showdown.

The two sides have been tied 34-34 within the group league match and each knew that it was going to be a tricky ultimate.

The is right here for #TeamIndia
The Indian Women’s #Kabaddi workforce brings residence the GOLD from #AsianGames#HangzhouAsianGames #Cheer4India #SonyLIV pic.twitter.com/WqTrOwNgdH

— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) October 7, 2023

India Women’s Kabaddi workforce received emotional and they’re crying when India has gained twenty fifth Gold Medal and 100 Medals on this Asian Games.

– This is Our Team India, Moments for lifetime…!!!! pic.twitter.com/jvJPRwU1oS

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 7, 2023

India have been properly forward at 14-9 on the half time, courtesy of a brilliant raid from Pooja, who was one of many stars of the extreme ultimate that additionally noticed the workforce’s coach being cautioned with a inexperienced card.

The subsequent quarter-hour noticed a nerve-wracking show of large sport from either side with the lead getting exchanged fairly a couple of instances.

Chinese Taipei narrowed down India’s result in 16-14 quickly after resumption. With lower than 5 minutes remaining on the clock, Chinese Taipei gained a vital video referral because the scoreline learn 19-17 in India’s favour.

From there, Chinese Taipei have been on the ascendancy. There have been simply two Indian gamers on the sector when a Chinese Taipei participant made the raid. One Indian participant was out as she touched the backline and the opposite didn’t pay money for the opposition raider.

Chinese Taipei took 4 factors — two from the raid and two for sending India All Out — and that took them forward at 21-19.

Pooja then received one level from her raid to scale back the margin to 20-21. The subsequent Chinese Taipei raider couldn’t get any factors and the onus was on India to make issues even.

At this level, captain Ritu Negi took a masterstroke of a call as she stopped Pushpa from going for a raid. She despatched Pooja as a substitute who did a marvellous job as India received two factors to guide 22-21.

It was not over but and the match received extra intense as the 2 groups have been locked 22-22, 23-23 after which 24-24.

At that stage, raider Pushpa gained some extent for India as 53 seconds have been left on the clock. Chinese Taipei took a assessment however that was turned down, sealing the destiny of the match in favour of India.

Chinese Taipei gained some extent via their raider to scale back the rating to 25-26. The Indians performed out the remaining few seconds earlier than leaping into one another’s arms in celebration.

“We worked really hard after losing the gold in the 2018 Asian Games. We waited for five year but our hard work paid off,” mentioned captain Ritu Negi who was additionally part of the silver-winning workforce on the 2018 Asian Games.

India had misplaced to Iran within the ultimate in Indonesia.

“Our players were a bit nervous towards the end but they kept themselves under control and ultimately pulled off the win,” coach Edachery Bhaskaran mentioned.

“Chinese Taipei are now a very strong side. They have trained in India in the past and will keep on improving. We also have to work harder and maintain our hold.”

With PTI inputs