India Beat Japan 49-24 in Asian Games 2026 Kabaddi Opener

India opened their men’s kabaddi campaign at the Asian Games 2026 with a commanding 49-24 victory over Japan on Monday, taking control early and maintaining their advantage through the final whistle.

Japan claimed the first point of the match with a bonus, but India responded immediately when Ayan Lochhab levelled the score with a touch point. From there, India moved decisively ahead, producing the sustained scoring run that shaped the opening contest of their campaign.

The result gives India a strong start at the Asian Games 2026, with the side combining productive raids and important defensive contributions to establish a large lead before half-time. Japan offered greater resistance after the interval, but India remained firmly in command on the way to a 25-point win.

India seize control after Japan’s early bonus

After Japan opened the scoring, India found their rhythm quickly. Ashu delivered a three-point raid as India began to turn the contest in their favour. The Indian defence then successfully tackled a Japanese raider, and another raid point followed as the team completed its first all-out.

That sequence gave India an 11-2 lead and set the tone for the remainder of the first half. India continued to add points and inflicted a second all-out, extending the margin to 18-2.

India entered the break with a 31-9 advantage. Ashu and Devank made an impact in the raiding department, while Sunil Kumar and Rahul contributed strongly in defence. The 22-point half-time margin left Japan facing a substantial task in the second half.

The scoreline reflected India’s authority in the opening period. The early recovery from Japan’s bonus point was followed by successful raids, defensive tackles and the two all-outs that allowed India to build a decisive cushion.

India finish strongly for a 49-24 win

India maintained their dominance after the restart, adding further attacking options as Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal and Aslam Inamdar joined the action. Their involvement added to India’s scoring strength as the team continued to hold a clear lead.

Japan improved their output in the second half and added more than 20 points after the interval. However, India did not allow the contest to swing back, staying in control despite Japan’s increased resistance.

India eventually closed out a comprehensive 49-24 result, completing a confident opening performance in the men’s kabaddi competition. The win was built on the decisive first-half stretch in which India moved from level terms to an 18-2 advantage before taking a 31-9 lead into the break.

For India, the opener delivered both a positive result and a clear statement at the start of the campaign. The side recovered immediately after Japan’s opening point, produced two all-outs in the first half and had contributions across raiding and defence before seeing out the match comfortably.

India’s men’s kabaddi team will take the 49-24 victory as an encouraging beginning to its Asian Games 2026 programme, while Japan will look to build on its more competitive second-half scoring in its next outing.