2026 Asian Games rugby sevens champions decided in thrilling finals

The rugby sevens at the 2026 Asian Games saw two thrilling days of action at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Japan – and despite several emerging nations showing promise, the most developed rugby nations in Asia ultimately came through with the results.

Hong Kong China and Japan claimed gold in the men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively, both overcoming the People’s Republic of China, who finished with the two silver medals in each event.

Despite the disappointment in the gold medal matches, overall it marked a hugely successful tournament for the Chinese rugby program, with the women overcoming Melrose Claymores runner’s up Thailand 28-0, and the Hong Kong China women’s sevens side 24-10 in the pool stages, while the men’s side defeated Japan 10-7 to advance to the final.

Ultimately, the HSBC SVNS experience shone through in the women’s competition, with the Sakura Sevens, boasting seven players from the circuit, going undefeated in the pool stages with back-to-back convincing wins over Singapore, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

Japan were pushed by the likes of Hong Kong in the semi-finals before ultimately prevailing 27-12, with Marin Kajiki and Yume Hirano both scoring tries in the final to overcome China 10-5.

The Hong Kong China women’s side also made significant strides forward, picking up the bronze medal with a 7-5 over Thailand, bouncing back from a disappointing Melrose Claymores Invitational result at the Hong Kong Sevens earlier this year.

The men’s tournament, meanwhile, proved a significant step forward for the men’s side, with several of their players having one eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup next year in Australia.

Brushing past Uzbekistan, Malaysia and China in Group A, the Hong Kong China men’s side also did so without, impressively, conceding a single point in the pool stages.

However, many eyes were on Pool B, with Japan’s men’s side in stiff competition with South Korea, both sides making it through to the semi finals before both going down to China and Hong Kong China, respectively.

Japan would ultimately triumph 17-5 to claim the bronze medal match, but the tournament marked a significant step forward for the South Korea men’s side, asking plenty of questions of the top sides.

Ultimately, after defeating South Korea 35-14 in the semi finals – the only points they conceded the entire weekend – Hong Kong China proved too much for China in the final.

A double to Harry Sayers and tries to Juan Esono Mba Oyana and Dafydd Phillips gave the 2022 defending champions some breathing space, their defence ultimately proving their biggest weapon to keep the Chinese scoreless and win 26-0.

Hong Kong China will now turn their attention to preparing for the upcoming SVNS 3 tournament as they try to push for qualification in the men’s SVNS 2 tournament in 2027.

Japan, meanwhile, will commence preparations for the 2026-27 HSBC SVNS season, which is set to get underway at the end of next month in Dubai.