India commenced its men’s kabaddi campaign at the Asian Games 2026 with a convincing victory over Japan, winning the match 49-24 on September 21 in Aichi-Nagoya. The game kicked off with Japan securing a bonus point, but India quickly equalised as Ayan Lochhab secured a touch point. Following this, the Indian team asserted dominance and remained in control throughout the match.

Indicating their strength, Ashu executed an impressive three-point raid. This was complemented by India’s defence effectively tackling a Japanese player shortly thereafter. India delivered its first all-out of the match, accumulating an 11-2 lead. The Indian team continued to dominate, achieving another all-out and pushing their lead to 18-2.

By the time the first half concluded, India had established a considerable 31-9 lead. Ashu and Devank were pivotal in the raids, while Sunil Kumar and Rahul made significant contributions in defence. The solid teamwork and strategic execution were evident as India headed into the break with a commanding advantage.

India’s Continued Success in Other Sports

Following the triumph in kabaddi, India recorded a series of victories across various disciplines at the Asian Games 2026. The shooting event saw Himanshu winning a silver medal and Rudrankksh claiming a bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle individual final. Both athletes had performed well, with Rudrankksh and Himanshu qualifying for the final, finishing third and seventh respectively, while Parth Mane came in 11th.

In the team event of the men’s air rifle, the Indian trio also secured a silver medal. Moreover, in mixed martial arts, Suchika Tariyal achieved a bronze medal after a semifinal loss to Singapore’s Teo Hui Hoon in the women’s traditional 60kg category, demonstrating India’s competitive spirit across sports.

In boxing, Sumit progressed in the men’s 70kg category after defeating Thailand’s Bunjong Sinsiri in the Round of 32, adding to India’s successful day. The team’s performance showcased resilience and skill, contributing to their overall medal tally at the event.

Mixed Results in Swimming and Other Events

In the swimming events, Srihari Nataraj successfully advanced to the men’s 50m backstroke final, while Rishabh Das was named as a reserve competitor. However, Mani Akash and Gitesh Shah did not qualify for the finals in the men’s 50m freestyle, and Dhanush Suresh missed out on the men’s 100m breaststroke final.

The Indian performance in wushu saw Nyeman Wangsu finishing in 15th place in the women’s Changquan final. Meanwhile, in table tennis, the Indian women’s team achieved a notable 3-0 victory against Pakistan in their Group F match, contributing positively to their overall standing.

However, it was not all successes for India, as the sepaktakraw team faced a setback against Japan in the men’s team regu Group B match. These varied results underscore the competitive nature of the Asian Games and highlight India’s ongoing efforts across multiple sports.

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