The Indian men’s kabaddi team will head into the semi-finals of the Asian Games 2026 with an unblemished record after defeating Chinese Taipei 37-21 in its final Group A match at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Aichi on Thursday,
Having already qualified for the semis and confirmed a medal after winning their first three group stage matches, India, the reigning Asian Games kabaddi champions, topped Group A with four victories from four matches.
India made a solid start with their defence in an unforgiving mood and Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar picking up early touch points.
Down to two men, Chinese Taipei pulled off a super tackle on Pawan to avert an all out inside the first five minutes, but it proved to be only a momentary respite as India eventually cleaned out the mat to take a 10-5 lead.
Chinese Taipei found themselves on the wrong end of an all out again just before the first-half ended. India led 23-11 at the break. Rahul Sethpal, at right corner, was particularly excellent.
The likes of Devank Dalal and Ayan Lochab came on in the second-half for India, who pressed the advantage on in the second period and inflicted one more all outÂ
The 48-25 victory gave India their third successive win in Group A, following comprehensive victories over hosts Japan and the Republic of Korea at the ongoing Asian Games.
The Indian men will next face the Group B runner ups in the Asian Games 2026 kabaddi semis fixture on Friday. Thailand are favourites to be their likely opponents but Pakistan can also enter the equation if they can pull off an upset against the Islamic Republic of Iran later in the day.
The men’s kabaddi tournament at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 began as a 10-team affair with the sides divided into two equal groups.
India were drawn in Group A alongside Bangladesh, the Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan.
Group B featured the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan and Malaysia.
After round-robin matches, the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. There will be no bronze medal matches with both losing semi-finalists securing spots on the podium.
India are record eight-time Asian Games kabaddi champions in the men’s event, having secured gold medals in every edition the sport has featured in, barring Jakarta 2018 – where Iran took top honours.
