India Crowned Asia Sepaktakraw Champions After Historic Sepaktakraw Gold in Nagoya

India’s meteoric rise in sepaktakraw reached a defining milestone on Monday as the national men’s team clinched the gold medal at the Asia Sepaktakraw Champions 2026, defeating hosts Japan in a gripping final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.

The 15–10, 12–15, 15–12 victory not only secured India’s first-ever Asian title in the men’s quadrant format but also confirmed the country’s emergence as a genuine continental powerhouse in the sport.

The triumph came after a week of relentless, high-intensity competition that saw India navigate a treacherous field of Asia’s strongest sepaktakraw nations. From the group stage to the final, the Indian squad showcased a level of athleticism, tactical maturity, and composure that marked a clear shift from challengers to champions.

India began its campaign in Group B, one of the toughest sections of the draw, alongside Malaysia and South Korea. Both nations are traditionally strong in sepaktakraw, particularly Malaysia, which has long been one of the sport’s global centres. India, however, made its intent clear from the outset.

A hard-fought win over Malaysia gave the Indian side early momentum, and they followed it up with a commanding straight-sets victory over South Korea. Topping the group was more than just a route to the knockout rounds it was a statement that India was prepared to take on the elite of Asia.

The real test arrived in the semifinal against Thailand, the sport’s undisputed superpower. Thailand has dominated sepaktakraw for decades, and beating them is often seen as the ultimate barrier to continental success. India, however, produced one of its most disciplined and aggressive performances, breaking down Thailand’s renowned defence with pace, variety, and fearless attacking to win in straight sets. That result alone would have been historic but it also propelled India into the gold-medal match.

Nerve-wracking final against Japan

The final against Japan unfolded in front of a vocal home crowd in Nagoya. Japan, which has invested heavily in sepaktakraw over the last decade, entered the match eager to reclaim continental dominance on home soil. India took control in the opening set, racing to a 15–10 win with sharp service returns and precise net play. Japan responded in the second set, tightening its defence and forcing errors from the Indian attackers to claim it 15–12 and level the contest.

The deciding set became a test of nerve. With the scores locked at 12–12, India produced three consecutive high-quality attacking sequences, mixing power with placement to break Japan’s resistance. When the final point was sealed, the Indian players erupted in celebration, knowing they had delivered a landmark victory for the sport back home.

This Asian Championship triumph builds directly on India’s breakthrough performance at the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) World Cup 2025 in Patna, where the men’s regu team had stunned the global elite to win India’s first-ever world title. That victory, achieved against Japan in the final, was widely regarded as the birth of a new force in international sepaktakraw.

Nagoya 2026 now confirms that Patna was no one-off. By winning the Asian crown in the quadrant format which involves four players per side and demands even greater coordination and stamina India has demonstrated depth, adaptability, and a sustained competitive edge.

India’s rapid progress in sepaktakraw has been driven by structured investment, particularly through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI). Training centres in Manipur, Nagaland, Delhi, and Bihar have become production lines for elite athletes, many of whom began playing the sport at a very young age. The 2025 World Cup in Patna played a pivotal role in accelerating this growth. Hosting a global tournament exposed Indian players to top-tier competition while also attracting attention and resources to the sport. The results were immediate: medals across multiple categories, packed crowds, and a new wave of young players taking up sepaktakraw.

The current gold-winning squad represents this new generation athletes who combine the natural agility common in the Northeast with modern sports science, professional conditioning, and international exposure.

With the Asian Championship title secured, India now turns its focus to a demanding international calendar. The next major test will be the Men’s Asia Cup in Malaysia in May, followed by the World Championship in Thailand in July. Both events will serve as critical benchmarks ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, where sepaktakraw will once again feature as a medal sport. India enters that phase with a level of confidence never seen before. The ability to defeat Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan in one championship signals that the team can compete for gold anywhere in Asia.

Sepaktakraw may still be a niche sport in much of India, but its rise reflects a broader shift in the country’s sporting identity. By excelling in a discipline that demands extreme athleticism, coordination, and mental strength, Indian athletes are proving that success is no longer confined to traditional sports.

The gold medal in Nagoya is not just another international trophy it is evidence that India has found a new arena in which it can dominate. With momentum, talent, and institutional backing on its side, Indian sepaktakraw now stands at the threshold of something even bigger.

And for the men who leapt, twisted, and smashed their way to glory in Japan, this title may only be the beginning.