India beaten by hosts Japan 0-2 in men's sepaktakraw semifinals in Nagoya, takes bronze

India went down 0-2 to hosts Japan in the men's quadrant semifinals of the Sepaktakraw competition at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Friday, October 2, 2026, and settled for a bronze medal. The Indian side lost the match 12-15, 13-15 at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.

The Indian team had reached the last four after topping Group A with victories over Laos (2-0), Vietnam (2-0) and Myanmar (2-1). Japan reached the semifinals as runners-up in Group B after beginning their campaign with a 1-2 loss to Indonesia and then defeating Singapore and Korea to advance.

The semifinal opened with a 12-15 first set in favour of Japan. The second set proved tighter: India trailed for much of the set but narrowed the deficit to 13-14 in the closing stages before Japan closed it out 15-13.

A photograph accompanying coverage showed India's Bobby Kumar kicking the ball during the men's team sepaktakraw match between India and Japan at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium in Nagoya. Photo Credit: AFP.

Earlier on the same day the Indian women's team lost 0-2 to Thailand in their Preliminary Group A fixture, with Thailand taking the first set 15-10 and winning the second 15-4.

The semifinal defeat confirmed India as bronze medallists in the men's sepaktakraw event at the Asian Games on October 2, 2026.