India Wins Bronze Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Sepaktakraw Men's Quadrant

Nagoya, Japan: The Indian men's quadrant Sepaktakraw team has etched its name in the history books, securing a bronze medal at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. The valiant Indian contingent concluded their impressive campaign on Friday, October 2, 2026, after a 0-2 (12-15, 13-15) defeat to hosts Japan in a fiercely contested semifinal at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium. The bronze medal is a testament to the team's relentless effort and marks a significant milestone for Indian Sepaktakraw on the continental stage. Dhiraj Bommadevara, Yashdeep Bhoge and Neeraj Chauhan Win Silver Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Archery Men's Recurve Team.

India's Road to Bronze

Under the leadership of veteran Akash Yumnam, the Indian squad, comprising Bobby Kumar, Malemnganba Singh Sorokhaibam, Lokhon Singh Elangbam, Ram Kumar Sharma, and Arun, displayed exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. They dominated Group A, maintaining an unbeaten record with convincing victories over Laos (2-0), Vietnam (2-0), and a thrilling 2-1 win against Myanmar. This stellar group-stage performance secured their spot in the semifinals and, crucially, guaranteed India at least a bronze medal, a format where both losing semifinalists are awarded bronze.

Their journey to the medal round highlighted their growing prowess in the sport, traditionally dominated by Southeast Asian powerhouses. The team's resilience was particularly evident in their comeback against Myanmar, where they recovered from losing the first set to claim victory.

Semifinal Battle

In the semifinal clash, India faced a strong challenge from Japan. The match, held today at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium, saw both teams battle fiercely for a spot in the gold medal match. Despite a spirited effort, India narrowly lost both sets with scores of 12-15 and 13-15. The second set was particularly intense, with the Indian team closing the gap to 13-14 in the final stages before Japan secured the decisive point. Lovlina Borgohain Wins Gold Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Boxing Women's 75kg.

Match Details:

• Event: Men's Quadrant Sepaktakraw – Semifinal
• Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
• Venue: Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium
• Opponent: Japan
• Result: India lost 0-2 (12-15, 13-15)
• Medal: Bronze

A Growing Legacy

This bronze medal marks India's third podium finish in Sepaktakraw at the Asian Games. India previously won a bronze in the men's team regu event at Jakarta 2018 and another bronze in the women's team regu at Hangzhou 2022. Notably, Akash Yumnam and Malemnganba Singh Sorokhaibam were also integral parts of the 2018 bronze-winning men's team, showcasing their enduring contribution to the sport's rise in India.

The team's performance at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 underscores the continuous progress and increasing competitiveness of Indian Sepaktakraw on the international stage. This medal will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of athletes to take up the sport, further solidifying India's presence in future competitions.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2026 01:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).