India continued its impressive rise in sepak takraw by winning a bronze medal in the men's quadrant event at the prestigious King's Cup Sepak Takraw Championship in Thailand on Friday, August 7.
India's campaign came to an end in the semi-finals after the hosts Thailand prevailed in a closely fought three-set encounter. The Indian team went down 15-9, 9-15, 9-15, but the result secured them a place on the podium.
Videos showing India's medal-winning run and the team's celebrations have since gained traction on social media, highlighting the country's growing presence in a sport traditionally dominated by Southeast Asian nations.
WHAT IS SEPAK TAKRAW?
Sepak takraw is a high-speed team sport that combines elements of volleyball, football and martial arts. Players are allowed to use their feet, head, knees and other parts of their body, but not their hands, to keep the ball airborne and send it across the net.
The game is played on a court resembling a badminton court, with teams attempting to land the ball on the opposition's side while preventing it from touching their own half.
In the regu format, each side consists of three players. The quadrant event features four players on each team.
Sepak takraw is especially popular in Southeast Asia and has been a regular part of the Asian Games, with Thailand, Malaysia and other regional powers traditionally leading the competition.
WHAT IS THE KING'S CUP?
The King's Cup Sepak Takraw Championship is regarded as one of the sport's premier international tournaments, bringing together many of the world's leading national teams every year.
Dedicated to the King of Thailand, the tournament has been held annually since 1985. Bangkok hosted the inaugural edition, with Malaysia becoming the first champions. Malaysia won the title again in 1988, before Thailand established its dominance over the competition.
In the team format, three regus form a team. Each regu consists of three players, and a team wins the overall tie by taking two of the three regu matches.
The King's Cup consequently provides an important test for India's players, particularly with the 2026 Asian Games approaching.
MOMENTUM AHEAD OF THE ASIAN GAMES
The bronze medal adds to India's strong recent performances in sepak takraw.
In May, India captured the men's quadrant gold medal at the Asia Sepaktakraw Championship 2026 in Nagoya, Japan. India defeated Japan 15-10, 12-15, 15-12 in the final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.
India had finished at the top of Group B after victories over Malaysia and South Korea before defeating Thailand in straight sets in the semi-final.
The result continued India's rapid progress in the sport.
India also created history in March 2025 by winning its maiden men's regu gold medal at the International Sepaktakraw Federation World Cup in Patna, further establishing the country as an emerging force in sepak takraw.
India will now aim to build on this momentum at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where the men's quadrant team will be among the country's medal contenders.
The King's Cup bronze represents another significant result for India as the team prepares for the continental event.
