Sepak takraw
Sepak takraw is two sides of three players, a regu, sending a woven ball over a net without using their hands or arms; they may use the feet, knees, chest, shoulders and head. Each side has up to three touches to return the ball. Every rally scores, a set is won at 15 points and a match is the best of three sets.
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How long
Best of three sets to 15 points, with a two-minute break between sets
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Asian Games (sepak takraw)The top multi-sport title in the sport.Every 4 years; held since 1990 · Holder: Thailand and Vietnam 2 golds each
- 2ISTAF World CupThe federation's world title.To check · Holder: 2025, Patliputra Indoor Stadium
- 3King's Cup Sepak Takraw World ChampionshipThe long-running championship in Thailand, where the sport is strongest.Yearly (to check)
India
India has three Asian Games bronzes: the men's team regu in 2018, the women's regu in 2022 and the men's quadrant in 2026. At the ISTAF World Cup India has 2 golds (mixed quadrant 2022, men's regu 2025), 2 silvers and 8 bronzes, and hosted the 2025 edition [the two pages; Reg].
- Sepak takraw at the Asian Games: 3 bronzes: men's team regu 2018, women's regu 2022, men's quadrant 2026
- ISTAF World Cup: 2 golds (mixed quadrant 2022, men's regu 2025), 2 silvers and 8 bronzes
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaSepak takraw at the Asian Games: 3 bronzes (latest 2026); ISTAF World Cup: 2 golds, 2 silvers, 8 bronzes (latest 2025)
- ThailandSepak takraw at the Asian Games: 32 golds, 7 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 2026); ISTAF World Cup: 13 golds, 3 silvers (latest 2025)
- MalaysiaSepak takraw at the Asian Games: 5 golds, 11 silvers, 5 bronzes (latest 2026); ISTAF World Cup: 2 golds, 4 silvers, 6 bronzes (latest 2025)
- MyanmarSepak takraw at the Asian Games: 6 golds, 8 silvers, 12 bronzes (latest 2026); ISTAF World Cup: 1 gold, 2 silvers, 4 bronzes (latest 2025)
- VietnamSepak takraw at the Asian Games: 5 golds, 6 silvers, 11 bronzes (latest 2026); ISTAF World Cup: 1 gold, 6 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2025)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), Law of the Game 2024 (regu event, 1 January 2024) |
| International federation | International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) |
| In India | Sepaktakraw Federation of India: recognised, on the MYAS list for 2026 |
Where and when it is played
On a court 13.4 by 6.1 metres, the size of a badminton doubles court, with a net 1.52 metres high for men and 1.42 metres for women. The big events: the Asian Games every four years (since 1990), the ISTAF World Cup and the King's Cup World Championship.