India Rout Hosts Japan 49-24 to Open Kabaddi Title Defence

Defending champions India opened their men's kabaddi title defence at the 2026 Asian Games with an emphatic 49-24 win over hosts Japan at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium.

India led 31-9 at half-time and rotated their bench through the second half, with Asian Games debutants Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal and Ashu Malik driving the scoring in the Group A preliminary tie.

India will face South Korea next in their group on Tuesday as they look to defend the title they have held at every edition since kabaddi's introduction to the Games.