{
  "id": 9498706,
  "title": "Comic inspires unlikely kabaddi dreams for Japan's Asian Games amateurs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/comic-inspires-unlikely-kabaddi-dreams-for-japans-asian-games-amateurs",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T05:31:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1540052/comic-inspires-unlikely-kabaddi-dreams-japans-asian-games-amateurs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nagoya, Japan – A Japanese comic called Burning Kabaddi has sparked a newfound interest in the team contact sport among the country's Asian Games amateurs. At a gymnasium near the port city of Nagoya, Japan faces South Korea in a bid for an Asian Games medal that could boost the sport's popularity. The Japanese team, made up of teachers and food workers, won 62-35 against their South Korean counterparts to keep their medal hopes alive.\n\nCaptain Tetsuro Abe revealed that over 80 percent of the players started their kabaddi journey through the comic. Kabaddi, played between two teams of seven, is a blend of tag, wrestling, and rugby without a ball. It demands speed, strength, agility, and breath control. The sport took off in Japan in 2010 when the men's team won a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou.\n\nHowever, this time, the competition is stiffer as a strong showing by Japan at the home Games could generate more interest and possibly attract sponsors. Abe noted that the players, who hold regular jobs, don't earn money for playing kabaddi and have to seek special dispensation from their employers.\n\nJapan's kabaddi journey began in 1981, with national and regional tournaments held annually since 1989. The sport gained royal endorsement when Prince Hisahito, the Emperor's nephew, attended a match. The Japan Kabaddi Federation has been instrumental in organizing these tournaments.\n\nThe sport's accessibility is another selling point, requiring no equipment, unlike other sports. This has helped it retain its niche status in Japan, but the team hopes to elevate its standing with a strong performance in the upcoming Games.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: Kabaddi has its roots in ancient rural communities in South Asia and India is the superpower, but Japan has developed a niche taste for the team contact sport – thanks to a comic.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Afghanistan dominates Japan with 48-run victory at 2026 Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/afghanistan-dominates-japan-with-48-run-victory-at-2026-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-24T04:20:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Jun Hao's giant-killing act gives him Asian Games lift",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/jun-haos-giant-killing-act-gives-him-asian-games-lift",
        "published": "2026-09-24T05:41:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Top S. Korean sports official blasts Asian Games organizers for shoddy operations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/top-s-korean-sports-official-blasts-asian-games-organizers-for-shoddy",
        "published": "2026-09-24T06:02:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "South Korea Olympic boss gives Asian Games organisers an ‘F’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/south-korea-olympic-boss-gives-asian-games-organisers-an-f-9519345",
        "published": "2026-09-24T08:05:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: Malaysia beat Indonesia to reach sepak takraw final, eye first gold in 36 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/asian-games-2026-malaysia-beat-indonesia-to-reach-sepak-takraw-final",
        "published": "2026-09-24T08:26:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}