Qatar Handball Team Defeats China 30-25 for Second Asian Games Win

Qatar's men's handball team secured its second victory at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, defeating China 30-25 in its second Group A match in Japan on Monday.

The result took Qatar's tally to four points at the top of Group A, alongside Japan, who also have four points. The two teams will meet in the final group-stage match on Friday, with the result set to determine first and second place in the group.

Qatar started strongly and quickly established an advantage, moving into a 3-0 lead. The team maintained its superiority and extended the margin to 9-5 before reaching a 12-8 lead.

China intensified its efforts during the closing minutes of the first half and reduced the deficit to two goals at 12-14. The Chinese team then levelled the score, with the first half ending 15-15.

Qatar produced a stronger performance after the break, regained the lead and widened the gap before securing a 30-25 victory.

The result represents another successful step in Qatar's campaign to defend the gold medal it won at the previous three editions of the Asian Games.

Qatar Olympic Committee Hosts Reception in Japan

The Qatar Olympic Committee also held an official reception on the sidelines of Aichi-Nagoya 2026, bringing together around 100 guests from across the Asian Olympic movement to celebrate sport, culture and Qatari hospitality.

The reception was attended by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee. It was held at the Qatar delegation headquarters in Nagoya under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Member of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Representatives of National Olympic Committees, sporting organisations and participating delegations attended the event, which highlighted Qatar's experience in hosting sporting events and its preparations to host the Asian Games in Doha in 2030. It also introduced guests to aspects of Qatari culture and the country's sporting heritage.

In her remarks, Sheikha Hind reviewed Qatar's experience as a host and highlighted the values of hospitality and the role sport plays in bringing communities closer and strengthening connections between them.

A short film screened during the reception presented Qatar's Asian Games journey, beginning with Doha's hosting of the 2006 edition, continuing through Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and looking ahead to Doha's planned hosting of the Games in 2030. The film highlighted the role of athletes, spectators and the various members of the sporting community in that journey.

The reception also featured dishes from Qatari cuisine and a musical performance on the oud, introducing guests to elements of Qatari culture and heritage.

Before the dinner, Bayt Qatar in Nagoya welcomed visitors, who had the opportunity to explore interactive cultural and digital experiences and learn about Qatar's sporting journey from Doha 2006 to Doha 2030.

Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said the reception was a special opportunity to meet friends and partners from across the Asian Olympic movement and celebrate the close ties that sport had helped establish between communities.

He said Qatar's journey with the Asian Games, from Doha 2006 to Aichi-Nagoya 2026, had been shaped by the athletes, sporting institutions and individuals who had taken part in it.

Al Buenain added that bringing part of Qatar to Nagoya through Bayt Qatar had provided an opportunity to share Qatari culture, hospitality and sporting experience with the Asian family. He said the reception also offered a chance to recall the key stages of that journey and look ahead to Doha 2030, when Qatar will host Asia again.

Qatar Swimmers Reach 4x200m Freestyle Relay Final

Qatar's swimming team reached the final of the men's 4x200m freestyle relay at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 after completing the heats in 7:24.10.

The team secured its place in the final after a strong qualifying performance, continuing Qatar's presence in the swimming competitions at the continental multi-sport event.

Ali Tamer, Mohammed Mahmoud, Saad Eddin Saad Eddin and Emil Fouzaei represented Qatar in the relay heats.

Qatar's swimmers continued to produce strong performances at the Games, with the team aiming to maintain its form in the final and achieve a notable result for Qatari swimming.

FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Promoted at Bayt Qatar

The Local Organising Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 is organising a series of promotional days at Bayt Qatar in Nagoya on the sidelines of Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The programme aims to introduce the forthcoming tournament and highlight Qatar's preparations to host the global event next year.

The programme consists of three promotional days. The first took place on 20 September, the second is scheduled for 23 September and the third and final day will take place on 29 September.

The activities provide an opportunity to engage with Bayt Qatar visitors, delegations and sporting figures in Nagoya, while presenting the main features of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and the fan experience planned for the tournament.

The promotional days include a display of the Naismith Trophy, awarded to the team that wins the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Visitors to Bayt Qatar can see the trophy and take commemorative photographs with it, alongside participating in tournament-related interactive activities and receiving souvenirs.

Qatar will host the FIBA Basketball World Cup from 27 August to 12 September 2027. It will be the first edition of the tournament held in the Middle East, with 32 of the world's top national teams competing in 92 games in Doha.

The promotional activities highlight Qatar's preparations to host the tournament, supported by advanced sporting infrastructure, organisational experience and national expertise developed through the staging of major sporting events over the past two decades.

They also showcase the compact hosting model planned for Qatar 2027. All matches will be played in four arenas: Lusail Arena, Al Janoub Arena, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena and Al Duhail Arena.

The proximity of the arenas and ease of travel between them will give fans the opportunity to attend more matches and enjoy the tournament atmosphere and accompanying events.

Qatar Beach Volleyball Teams Begin Campaign With Two Wins

Qatar's two men's beach volleyball teams made a strong start to their Aichi-Nagoya 2026 campaign, winning their opening matches in Japan.

Qatar 1, represented by Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, defeated the Philippines 2-0 in Group A. The Filipino pair consisted of Abdillah and Francisco. Qatar won the two sets 21-7 and 21-10.

Qatar 2, represented by Mousa Al Khair and Mohammed Ehab, also won 2-0 against South Korea in Group D. The Korean pair consisted of Sangbin and Jongtaek. Qatar took the sets 21-13 and 21-9.

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