TOKAI, Sept 2026 : India’s men’s kabaddi team produced a commanding performance to thrash Thailand 66-28 in the semifinal and book its place in the final of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games here on Friday.
The victory took India, eight-time Asian Games champions and the defending title-holders, into the ninth final of the men’s competition. The Indian side will now aim to retain the gold medal it won in 2023.
India dominated the semifinal from the opening whistle, establishing a 37-18 lead at half-time. The team continued its relentless performance after the break, adding another 29 points while restricting Thailand to just 10.
The Indian defence and raiding unit worked in tandem throughout the contest. India secured 21 outs in the opening half, collected 12 bonus points and executed two All Outs. Thailand managed 13 outs, three bonus points and one All Out during the first 20 minutes.
The Indian team maintained its intensity in the second half, adding 22 more out points, three bonus points and two All Outs. Thailand could manage only seven out points and two bonus points, besides receiving one technical point.
India had already established itself as one of the dominant teams in the competition by remaining unbeaten through the group stage. The defending champions registered four victories in their Group A matches before producing another comprehensive display in the semifinal.
India will face either Iran or Chinese Taipei in the gold-medal match. The final will provide the reigning champions an opportunity to complete another successful Asian Games campaign with a ninth title.
Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s team also secured its place in the final with an impressive 48-24 victory over Nepal.
The Indian women dominated the semifinal for most of the contest and entered the interval with a commanding 31-17 advantage. They added another 17 points in the second half, while Nepal could manage only seven.
India’s superiority was particularly evident in both attack and defence. During the first half, the Indian team collected 23 out points and four bonus points while executing two All Outs. Nepal registered 13 out points and three bonus points and managed one Super Tackle.
The pattern continued after the break, with India adding 12 out points, three bonus points and another All Out. Nepal could score only five out points and two bonus points during the final 15 minutes.
The twin victories ensured that both Indian teams remained firmly in contention for the Asian Games gold medals. While the men’s side will await the outcome of the Iran-Chinese Taipei semifinal to discover its final opponent, the women’s team will also prepare for its title clash after another emphatic display.
With both teams reaching the summit clash, India has strengthened its position in kabaddi at the continental showpiece and will now seek to convert its semifinal dominance into gold-medal success.
