ASIAN GAMES HIT BY RAIN AND TYPHOON THREAT

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The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, have faced an unexpected weather challenge even before the official opening ceremony, with heavy rain disrupting sporting activities and a potential typhoon threatening the early stages of the continental competition.

The Games officially open on September 19, but several sports have already begun. Football, basketball, volleyball and cricket are among the competitions taking place ahead of the opening ceremony.

CHINA EXIT WITHOUT PLAYING

China's women's cricket team suffered a particularly disappointing exit on Thursday after their quarter-final against Bangladesh was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.

The match was scheduled to take place at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, near Nagoya. However, persistent rainfall left the outfield too wet for play. The teams did not even complete the toss before officials called off the match.

Under the Asian Games competition rules, Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals because they entered the match with the higher international ranking. Bangladesh are ranked above China in the women's T20I rankings, allowing them to progress when the quarter-final produced no result.

The result ended China's campaign despite the team returning to Asian Games cricket after a 12-year absence. The players had hoped to make an impact in the tournament, but the weather prevented them from taking the field in the decisive quarter-final.

RAIN DISRUPTS CRICKET

Weather problems have affected the cricket competition throughout the week. The Nagoya region experienced significant rainfall before the Games, leaving some venues struggling to recover.

Pakistan's quarter-final against Thailand was also affected. The match was reduced to 11 overs per side after a delayed start, as ground staff worked to make the playing surface suitable for cricket. Pakistan eventually reached the semi-finals after successfully chasing Thailand's total.

Further women's cricket quarter-finals are scheduled, including India against hosts Japan, while the semi-finals are scheduled for September 20.

TYPHOON THREAT

The weather concerns extend beyond cricket. Asian Games organisers are monitoring Tropical Storm Dujuan, which was located off Japan's Pacific coast on Thursday and moving toward central Japan.

The storm was reported with maximum sustained winds of about 90 kilometres per hour and stronger gusts. Forecasts indicated the possibility of a typhoon approaching the Aichi-Nagoya region around September 21.

Officials have acknowledged that severe weather has already caused delays and schedule changes in some competitions.

ORGANISERS ON ALERT

The potential storm presents an additional challenge for organisers responsible for thousands of athletes, officials and support personnel.

The 2026 Asian Games are expected to involve around 17,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and regions, with competitions spread across multiple Japanese cities.

Organisers are therefore closely monitoring weather conditions while preparing contingency measures to protect athletes and keep competitions running where conditions allow.

With the official opening ceremony still ahead, the weather has already become one of the major stories surrounding the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The coming days will determine whether the tournament can proceed according to schedule or whether further adjustments will be required.

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