India women's Kabaddi team storm into Asian Games 2026 SF unbeaten after 50-25 win over Japan
Synopsis
India's women's Kabaddi side bulldozed Japan 50-25 to cap a perfect Group A run at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya — three games, three wins, and a semi-final spot secured. With the men's team equally imperious, India is on course for a Kabaddi double at these Games, reinforcing a dominance that has defined the sport's Asian history.
Key Takeaways
India women's Kabaddi team beat Japan 50-25 on 24 September 2026 at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya .
The defending champions finished Group A with three wins from three , beating Bangladesh ( 42-21 ), Iran ( 37-23 ), and Japan ( 50-25 ).
Captain Pushpa Rana led India to a 32-13 half-time lead, with two All Outs in the opening period.
The Indian men's team also completed an unbeaten group stage, defeating Chinese Taipei 37-21 on the same day.
The men's semi-final is confirmed for 25 September ; their semi-final berth also guarantees India a medal .
The Indian women's Kabaddi team completed a flawless Group A campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Thursday, 24 September, demolishing Japan 50-25 to wrap up the group stage with three wins from three. The defending champions had already secured their semi-final berth before the match, but produced a dominant all-round display to underline their title credentials.
Dominant First Half Sets the Tone
Captain Pushpa Rana led from the front as India blazed out of the blocks, building a commanding 32-13 lead by half-time. In the opening period, the Indians collected 23 out points and five bonus points, executing two All Outs to establish a 19-point cushion that left Japan with a mountain to climb.
Japan's Second-Half Resistance Falls Short
The hosts showed greater resolve after the interval, opening through Yuri before adding three more points in quick succession. Japan managed 12 points in the second half — comprising eight outs, two bonus points, and a Super Tackle. India, however, swiftly regained their rhythm through incisive raids and disciplined defensive tackles. The Indians added 18 more points via 14 outs, two bonus points, and a third All Out to close out a comfortable victory. Japan managed a bonus point with their final raid, but it was a mere footnote to India's clinical win.
India's Unbeaten Group A Campaign
The 50-25 triumph rounded off a dominant group-stage run for the defending champions. India had opened their campaign with a 42-21 win over Bangladesh, before overcoming Iran 37-23 in their second fixture. Three wins from three, with an aggregate score that underscores their superiority, confirm India as the team to beat heading into the knockouts.
Men's Team Also Sail Through Unbeaten
Earlier on the same day, the Indian men's Kabaddi team completed their own unbeaten group-stage run, defeating Chinese Taipei 37-21 in their final Group A fixture at the same venue. India collected three bonus points and six All-Out points in that match, while Chinese Taipei registered nine bonus points and two Super Tackles. The men's side, who had already secured a medal-guaranteeing semi-final berth after beating Bangladesh on Wednesday, finished top of Group A and are scheduled to play their semi-final on 25 September.
What's Next for India
Both the men's and women's squads now advance to the semi-finals, with India carrying the weight of expectation as defending champions in Kabaddi — a sport the country has historically dominated at the Asian Games. The women's semi-final draw and schedule are awaited, while the men's semi-final is confirmed for 25 September. A title defence is firmly on the cards for both sides.
Point of View
Iran, and Japan is encouraging, but none of those opponents represent the real test. The semi-final draw will tell us more. What stands out here is the margin: a 25-point win against a host nation, on their home turf, with the result already decided, signals a squad playing with purpose rather than just going through the motions. The men's parallel run to the semis raises the prospect of a historic Kabaddi double — but Indian fans have seen unbeaten group stages unravel before. The knockout rounds, not the group stages, are where legacies are made.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India's women's Kabaddi team qualify for the semi-finals at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes, India's women's Kabaddi team qualified for the semi-finals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, finishing Group A with three wins from three. They secured their semi-final berth before their final group match against Japan.
What was India's score against Japan in Kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games?
India defeated Japan 50-25 in their final Group A Kabaddi match on 24 September 2026 at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. India led 32-13 at half-time and controlled the second half despite a brief Japanese resurgence.
Who captained India's women's Kabaddi team at the 2026 Asian Games?
Pushpa Rana captained India's women's Kabaddi team at the 2026 Asian Games. She led the side from the front in the group stage, with India executing two All Outs in the first half against Japan alone.
How did India's men's Kabaddi team perform at the 2026 Asian Games?
India's men's Kabaddi team also remained unbeaten in Group A, defeating Chinese Taipei 37-21 on 24 September to complete a perfect group stage. Their semi-final is scheduled for 25 September, and the berth already guarantees them a medal.
What were India's other results in the women's Kabaddi group stage at Asian Games 2026?
India beat Bangladesh 42-21 in their opener and defeated Iran 37-23 in their second match before beating Japan 50-25 in their final group fixture. All three victories came in Group A at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
