India make emphatic start to kabaddi title defence, crush Japan 49-24

Aichi-Nagoya, Sept 21 (UNI) Defending champions India began their Asian Games men's kabaddi title defence in emphatic fashion, overpowering hosts Japan 49-24 in their Group A opener here on Monday. India turned the contest into a one-sided affair with a stunning opening-half display, racing to an 18-2 lead before stretching the advantage to 31-9 at the break. Raider Ashu Malik was the chief architect of India's early assault, producing a three-point Super Raid as the Indian attack repeatedly breached the Japanese defence. The hosts were put under relentless pressure and India inflicted three all-outs in the opening 20 minutes, leaving…