TIGERS UNITED

Japan produced a commanding performance to defeat Hong Kong 28-14 in the final of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2026 final leg in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday, but Hong Kong had the last laugh in the overall championship race, securing the title on points difference and booking their ticket to HSBC SVNS 3 . The atmosphere at Racecourse Stadium was set for a spectacular showdown as two of Asia's finest rugby sevens teams battled for the final leg crown. Japan rose to the occasion, delivering a ruthless display of speed, precision and attacking firepower to dismantle Hong Kong's challenge. Japan seized control early, shutting out Hong Kong in a dominant first half to establish a commanding 14–0 lead. Their relentless pressure and clinical execution left Hong Kong searching for answers as the Japanese side took firm control of the contest. Hong Kong, however, refused to surrender without a fight. Despite their efforts to claw their way back into the match, Japan mai...

Twelve teams arrived in Colombo with one dream: to become champions of Asia. But after two days of fierce competition at Racecourse Stadium on 17–18 October, Japan stood tallest, completing a remarkable journey to Asian Sevens glory. The final against China was a battle of courage, composure and championship character. Locked at 7–7 at half-time, neither side was willing to surrender. Every possession mattered. Every tackle carried weight. When the decisive moment arrived, Japan found the strength to push ahead, securing a hard-fought 14–7 victory. For Japan, this was more than another tournament triumph. Having already won the opening leg in Suzhou, China, they finished the Asia Rugby Sevens Series as overall champions with 40 points, ahead of China on 36 and Hong Kong on 30. Minako Tanayama and Rinka Matsuda led Japan’s charge, while Shiori Okudo , Umi Kikawa and Seika Ohashi also played important roles in their championship campaign. China may have fallen short in the final,...

The Asian Games Rugby Sevens battle in Nagoya has come to a dramatic end, with Hong Kong and Japan emerging as champions after three days of intense competition. In the men’s final, Hong Kong delivered a commanding performance to defeat China 26–0, securing their third consecutive Asian Games gold medal. It was another statement of Hong Kong’s dominance on the biggest stage in Asian rugby. China, however, can look back with enormous pride. Their silver medal marks their first-ever Asian Games silver in men’s Rugby Sevens, a historic achievement after reaching the final in Nagoya. Korea finished fourth, while Malaysia produced a strong campaign to finish fifth among 12 competing Asian nations. The women’s final produced another thrilling contest, with Japan edging China 10–5 to claim the gold medal on home soil. For Japan, it was a golden celebration in front of their home crowd. China settled for silver, adding another medal to an impressive Asian Games record that now stands a...

The opening chapter of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2026, powered by Emirates, delivered everything fans could ask for, speed, drama, comebacks and unforgettable finishes. With 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams battling across two action-packed days in Suzhou, China, the continent’s finest sevens players produced a spectacular start to the championship. In the women’s competition, defending champions Japan showed why they remain the team to beat. China stunned Japan by scoring first in the Cup Final, but the champions responded with composure and quality. Yume Hirano levelled the score before Mei Ohtani , Seika Ohashi and Wakana Akita completed a 24-7 victory. Japan collected 20 points to lead the standings, with China second on 18 and Thailand third on 16. Thailand produced one of the weekend’s biggest comebacks, recovering from 12-0 down against Hong Kong to force golden-point extra time before winning 17-12. The men’s competition was equally explosive. Defending champions Hong...

The wait is almost over. Asia’s best rugby sevens teams are ready to battle for supremacy when the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series , kicks off in Suzhou, China. And this year, the stakes are higher than ever. Twelve men’s teams and 12 women’s teams will go head-to-head in a tournament packed with speed, power, skill and drama. Every try matters. Every tackle counts. Every point could make the difference when the championship reaches its final round. Round One takes place in Suzhou on 29–30 August, before the action moves to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the decisive second round on 17–18 October. There will also be fresh faces and new ambitions. India and Kazakhstan have earned promotion into the men’s Series, while Iran and Uzbekistan make their women’s Series debut after impressive performances at the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in Muscat. The established powerhouses, however, will be ready. Hong Kong enter as the defending men’s champions after winning the 2025 Series, with Japan fi...