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Asian Games 2026: Defending champions India began their men’s kabaddi campaign with a convincing 49-24 victory over Japan. India dominated the opening half, built a huge lead and eventually secured a comfortable 25-point win.
India vs Japan Kabaddi: Defending Champions Make Winning Start
India came out strongly in their opening Asian Games 2026 kabaddi match and quickly put Japan under pressure. The Indian raiders created problems for the Japanese defence, while the defenders maintained control at the other end.
India finished the first half with a commanding 31-9 lead, giving the defending champions a strong advantage going into the break.
India Take 31-9 Lead Against Japan in First Half
The first half belonged almost entirely to India. The team combined aggressive raids with effective tackles to keep Japan from building any momentum.
Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik and Ayan Lochab played important roles in India's attacking display. Their efforts helped India create a 22-point advantage before half-time.
Ayan Lochab Impresses on Asian Games 2026 Debut
Ayan Lochab made an impressive Asian Games debut. The young raider showed confidence from the beginning and repeatedly tested Japan’s defence with his raids.
Devank Dalal, who was also making his Asian Games debut, contributed to India’s strong start. The performances from the debutants added further depth to India's attack.
Aslam Inamdar and Ashu Malik Lead India’s Strong Attack
Aslam Inamdar and Ashu Malik were among India's key performers as the defending champions maintained pressure on Japan.
India's attacking unit continued to find scoring opportunities, while the defensive unit helped prevent Japan from making a major comeback.
Japan Fight Back in Second Half but India Seal 49-24 Win
Japan improved considerably after half-time and managed to put more pressure on India. The Japanese side scored 15 points in the second half, compared with only nine in the opening half.
India still remained in control and added 18 points after the break to finish the match 49-24.
The Indian team collected eight all-out points and also completed two super tackles. Japan managed nine bonus points during the match but could not overcome India's huge first-half advantage.
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Pawan Sehrawat Struggles as Aslam Inamdar Steps Up for India
India's star raider Pawan Sehrawat could not produce the kind of impact expected from him in the opening match.
However, Aslam Inamdar stepped up for the team, particularly in the second half. India's overall team performance ensured that Sehrawat's relatively quiet outing did not affect the final result.
India Extend Dominant Asian Games Kabaddi Record Against Japan
India's 49-24 win over Japan also extended their impressive record in Asian Games kabaddi.
India have now defeated Japan eight times in the Asian Games. Japan are yet to beat India in the competition, meaning the defending champions continue to maintain their unbeaten record in this fixture.
India vs South Korea: Defending Champions’ Next Kabaddi Match
India will now turn their attention to their next Asian Games 2026 kabaddi match against South Korea on Tuesday.
Following their big opening win, India will look to continue their winning momentum and move closer to another gold medal.
India’s Asian Games Kabaddi Gold Medal Record
India have enjoyed remarkable success in men’s kabaddi at the Asian Games. The sport has featured nine times, and India have won the gold medal on eight occasions.
India's only failure to reach the final came at the 2018 Asian Games, when Iran defeated India 27-18 in the semi-final.
India bounced back at the 2022 Asian Games by winning the gold medal. Under captain Sunil Kumar, the Indian team will now aim to defend its title and add another gold to its impressive Asian Games record.
Asian Games 2026 Medal Tally: India Have Six Medals So Far
India have won six medals at the Asian Games 2026 so far. Five medals have come from shooting, while one medal has been won in mixed martial arts (MMA).
India currently have four silver medals and two bronze medals and are placed 10th in the medal table.
The impressive kabaddi victory over Japan gives the Indian contingent another positive result as the Asian Games 2026 competition continues.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026 Table Tennis: India Beat Pakistan 3-0
