Aichi-Nagoya, Sept. 21 -- India began their men's kabaddi campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in dominant fashion, defeating Japan 49-24 in their opening match on Monday.

Japan opened the scoring with a bonus point, but India quickly responded as Ayan Lochhab levelled the scores with a touch point. India soon took complete control of the contest. Ashu produced a superb three-point raid before India's defence successfully tackled a Japanese raider, followed by another raid point that helped India inflict their first all-out and establish an 11-2 lead.

The Indian side continued to dominate and inflicted a second all-out to extend their advantage to 18-2. India went into half-time with a commanding 31-9 lead, with Ashu and Devank making an im...