Asian Games 2026: The Indian men's kabaddi team defeated Japan 49-24 to start their campaign at the Asian Games 2026. India are the defending kabaddi champions at the Asian Games.

India beat Japan in Kabaddi

The Indian Kabaddi team defeated Japan by a 49-24 margin at the 2026 Asian Games. Team India held a 31-9 lead in the first half. The Indian team appeared to weaken in the second half, but Japan still lost by a massive 25-point margin. This is India's eighth victory over Japan at the Asian Games. Japan has never defeated India at the Asian Games.

Aslan Inamdar, Ashu Malik, and Ayan Lochab put in strong performances. Ayan Lochab, making his Asian Games debut, quickly broke through the Japanese defense with his powerful raiding. Devank Dalal, also playing in the Asian Games for the first time, forced the Japanese team onto the back foot. This strategy helped India take a commanding 31-9 lead in the first half.

India also scored more points in the second half, with 18. Japan played much better than in the first half, scoring 15 points.

Pawan Sehrawat didn't perform as expected, but Aslam Inamdar did well at the other end in the second half. India earned a total of 8 all-out points and forced two super tackles. Japan earned a total of 9 bonus points in the match. India's next Kabaddi match is against South Korea on Tuesday.

India is the defending champion

Kabaddi has been included in the Asian Games nine times, with the Indian men's team winning the gold medal eight times. India failed to reach the final only in 2018, losing 27-18 to Iran in the semi-finals. India also won the gold medal in Kabaddi at the 2022 Asian Games. Under the captaincy of Sunil Kumar, Team India will aim to win the gold medal for the ninth time.

India won 6 medals

India has won a total of six medals so far at the 2026 Asian Games. Five of these medals came in shooting, while one medal came in mixed martial arts (MMA). India currently has four silver and two bronze medals and is currently ranked 10th in the medal table.