A member of the coaching staff speaks to members of the Japan gymnastics team as they hold an training exhibition for the media ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Tokyo on September 9, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

TOKYO–Japan men’s gymnastics team for their home Asian Games 2026 this month includes multiple Olympic and world champions, but serious injuries have clouded their chances.

Shinnosuke Oka, who won gold in the all-around, team and horizontal bar events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is facing a race to be fit after suffering a lower back injury last week.

The Games begin in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area on September 19, with the men’s gymnastics competition getting under way two days later.

Former junior world champion Tomoharu Tsunogai is also nursing a serious ankle injury, while lower back pain for Shoma Tsukiyama means three of Japan’s five-man team are carrying injuries heading into the competition.

Oka did not take part in a team practice on Wednesday but told reporters afterwards that he still intended to compete in Nagoya.

“I’m looking forward to it and I think a switch will flick in me,” said the 22-year-old.

“I’m at the level now where I can only do the bare minimum but I don’t want to give up on aiming for gold.”

Japan is the reigning Olympic team champion, but China won the Asian Games title on home soil in Hangzhou in 2023.

Japan’s team for this year’s competition also includes reigning world and former Olympic all-around champion Daiki Hashimoto, as well as Kiichi Kaneda.

Japan team boss Kensuke Murata said he would assess his team’s fitness and decide on any changes before the September 16 deadline.

Murata said that Oka would perform less difficult routines if he does compete.

Oka and Hashimoto are also set to be part of Japan’s team for the world championships in Rotterdam next month.

Oka said he hurt his back in training and that “the pain was different to the kind of pain I usually feel”.

“I went to the hospital and it wasn’t a herniated disc, but it was something serious,” he said.

Hashimoto, the all-around Olympic champion in Tokyo in 2021 and a three-time world all-around champion, said he was not worried by Japan’s injury woes.

“I think the athletes themselves understand their situation better than anyone,” said the 25-year-old.

“As long as they’re thinking about what they can do and what they should do, I’m not worried because they have already put in an incredible amount of training.”

We knew Michael Penix Jr. wouldn’t be under center in Week 1 for the Atlanta Falcons. Apparently, neither will Tua Tagovailoa.

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Friday afternoon that Tagovailoa is dealing with an oblique injury and Cooper Rush will be the team’s starting quarterback for their Week 1 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jack Strand will be the backup quarterback.

Tagovailoa, who’s considered “week-to-week,” per ESPN, appeared to suffer the oblique injury in practice on Thursday afternoon, with a video showing when he may have first felt the discomfort.

Atlanta signed Tagovailoa, a 2023 Pro Bowler, to a one-year deal in March following his release from the Miami Dolphins. Last season (2025), Tagovailoa totaled 2,660 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions and an 88.5 passer rating over 14 starts, while completing 67.7% of his passes.

As for Atlanta’s Week 1 starter, the 32-year-old Rush has 16 NFL starts under his belt, most recently making two starts for the Baltimore Ravens last season. He previously made 14 starts for the Dallas Cowboys (one in 2021, five in 2022 and eight in 2024). Meanwhile, Penix is recovering from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 11 of last season and won’t be on the active roster to open the year.

Catch Rush and the Falcons in action against the Steelers on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

Two of the competition’s hottest teams collide as the Warriors host a Dolphins side preparing for the club’s first finals appearance.

When: Saturday September 12, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: Go Media Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Odds

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Preview

Two of the competition’s hottest teams meet at Go Media Stadium, with the Warriors carrying six consecutive wins and the Dolphins seven. Their regular-season encounters were decided by two points each: New Zealand won 20-18 in Round 8 before the Dolphins replied 26-24 in Round 17. The Warriors regain Leka Halasima, Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell, while Jackson Ford is included after a long pectoral-injury absence. The Dolphins enter their first finals appearance with Selwyn Cobbo, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Kodi Nikorima restored to the side. That added strike power complements a backline already featuring Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako and Herbie Farnworth. New Zealand’s ability to control the opening half and the lift of a home final are significant, but the Dolphins’ winning run and proven success in close games ensure this qualifying final should be decided by fine margins.

Once dismissed by many families as nothing more than a leisure activity with no viable career prospects, gaming is now taking Indian youngsters to the Asian Games, with the country’s esports contingent aiming for a strong showing in Nagoya thanks to rigorous training and professional support.

Indian players are putting in long hours, facing international opponents in practice matches and working with experienced coaches, seeking to establish themselves on the continental stage. The esports competition in this year’s Asian Games will have 11 medal events, four more than the last edition.

For Pokemon Unite player Adnan Badshah, changing the perception of esports within families remains one of the biggest challenges.

“One of the major challenges is that family is not easily convinced that there can be a future in mobile or PC games. If you are a cricketer or an athlete of any traditional sport, family and relatives are more inclined to support you.

“But to get support in this is very difficult,” Badshah told PTI Videos on the sidelines of an Indian Olympic Association send-off event for the 503-strong Indian contingent.

The growing professional structure around esports, however, is helping players believe that the discipline can eventually achieve mainstream sporting status in India.

“The scene is growing slowly. I am assuming that in the next four-five years esports will be as big as sports in general in India,” Badshah said.

The players are backing up that confidence with demanding preparation.

League of Legends player Aakash Shandilya, who will compete at his second Asian Games after featuring in the 2023 edition, said India’s preparation this time has been more organised and professional.

“Last time we had prepared for around six months to one year, but this time we have been coached throughout. We have had a coach, we have had the experience, and the Esports Federation of India has been helping us throughout,” Shandilya said.

The League of Legends team conducts daily scrimmages, or “scrims”, against teams from South and Southeast Asia, including neighbouring countries, with four to five hours devoted to practice matches followed by another five to six hours of individual training.

“It has been tough, but it is a lot more polished this time around and we also have the best players from our country for their specific roles,” Shandilya said.

He has set his sights firmly on the podium.

“The main goal is to get a medal for sure. We are looking to finish better this time,” he said.

International expertise is also playing a role in India’s preparations.

Paritosh, who will compete in Puyo Puyo Champions, said the game’s Japanese publisher SEGA is providing coaching and training sessions to athletes preparing for the Asian Games.

“We are making strategies on how to counter strong teams like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan,” he said.

For efootball player Danial Patel, who is making his Asian Games debut, the ambition is even more specific , gold.

“I have come here only with one aim, which is to win the gold medal. Anything other than that is just a failure for me,” Patel said.

Patel is also balancing his esports training with academics, a familiar challenge for young Indian athletes trying to pursue gaming professionally.

“As you know, the Indian parents’ mentality is that you have to balance your academics as well. As an esports athlete myself, I am balancing it well. I am giving enough time to esports as well as my studies,” he said.

The opportunity to represent India, Patel said, has made the stakes even higher.

“We have got the opportunity now from the Government of India to present our talent on the international stage, on the Asian stage. As athletes, we have to showcase our talent. This is the time for us, so yes, eyes are on the medal,” he said.

For a generation that has spent years defending gaming as more than a hobby, Nagoya offers an opportunity to make that argument on the biggest stage yet.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, Barcelona winger Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain veteran Marquinhos headline Brazil’s 26-member squad for their historic first-ever meeting with India on October 3.

The Selecao will face India at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata at 7.30 pm local time, in what will be a landmark fixture for Indian football.

The match is scheduled after Brazil’s two-game Australia tour, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side facing the hosts in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane on September 29.

Ancelotti named his first squad since the 2026 World Cup at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday before addressing the media.

Vinicius, Raphinha and Marquinhos form the experienced core of the squad, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes also retaining their places.

The much-anticipated game promises to be a grand spectacle for football-crazy Kolkata, with Brazil bringing three 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees in Vinicius, Marquinhos and Gabriel for their historic first meeting with India.

Brazil’s rebuild ========= Ancelotti has called up several players who will also be eligible for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while Marquinhos, who captained Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, remains the most experienced member of the squad. The five-time champions were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16.

“We have to make a balanced list, with players who played in the last campaign and young players who can bring new energy to the team. The idea is to build something for the future without losing our competitiveness,” said Ancelotti.

The most striking changes are likely to come at the back as Brazil have left out their World Cup goalkeeping trio of Alisson, Ederson and Weverton, with Corinthians’ Hugo Souza taking over as the first-choice goalkeeper.

Coritiba’s Pedro Morisco and Cruzeiro’s Otavio have been named as his back-ups.

The defence has also been rejigged, with Arthur Dias, Jair, Matheuzinhoand Mauro Junior included alongside more established players such as Marquinhos and Magalhaes.

The Brazil coach said the changes are part of a longer-term plan to build a side capable of competing at the 2030 World Cup, while maintaining the quality expected of the national team.

“We are looking at young players with potential. We are working together with the youth teams because we want to know which players can help the national team in the future. We have to give them the opportunity when they are ready,” he said.

The squad has six players aged 20 or younger, while eight players are in line to make their senior international debuts.

The debutants are goalkeepers Pedro Morisco and Otavio, defenders Arthur Dias and Jair, full-backs Matheuzinho and Mauro Junior, and midfielders Breno Bidon of Corinthians and Gabriel Bontempo of Santos.

Ten players in the squad play club football in Brazil, underlining Ancelotti’s emphasis on current form and physical condition.

“We are watching players everywhere. It is not important where they play. What is important is their condition, their quality and what they can give to the national team,” Ancelotti said.

The Australia and India fixtures are non-competitive, but Ancelotti sees the FIFA international windows as crucial to developing the team before the 2028 World Cup.

“We have four years, so we have time to work. We have to be patient and use the FIFA windows well. We don’t have much time together, but we have enough time to prepare a team with a clear idea and a strong collective.” The Copa America in two years’ time will be Brazil’s next major competitive target, and Ancelotti’s rebuild appears to be towards having a new-look side ready for that tournament.

Squad ==== Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Otavio (Cruzeiro).

Defenders: Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Jair (Nottingham Forest), Marquinhos (PSG), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven), Vitor Reis (Manchester City), Wesley (Rome).

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos).

Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Stephen (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).

Shooting Stars have stepped up preparations for their CAF Confederation Cup second-leg clash against Tunisian side CS Sfaxien with a beach recovery session in Tunisia.

The Oluyole Warriors arrived in Tunisia ahead of the important match after travelling from Nigeria, with the team using the beach session to help the players recover and get ready for the challenge ahead.

Shooting Stars hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg played in Nigeria and will need to protect their lead in Tunisia to progress to the next stage of the competition.

The team is staying in Sousse and is expected to travel to Sfax as part of its plan to keep the players focused and away from unnecessary distractions before the match.

The Nigerian club had earlier raised concerns over training arrangements after CS Sfaxien reportedly offered them an artificial pitch instead of a natural grass surface for their pre-match training.

Shooting Stars Director of Football, Tobi Adepoju, said the club had requested a natural grass pitch and was willing to pay for its use.

“We asked for a grass pitch as an option to train in Sfax, and we offered to pay,” Adepoju said.

He added that the Nigerian side expected better cooperation, especially after CS Sfaxien were allowed to train at the match venue during the first leg in Abeokuta.

Despite the challenges, Shooting Stars have continued their preparations as they look ahead to what promises to be a tough return leg.

With a narrow first-leg lead to protect, the Oluyole Warriors know they must be ready for the challenge in Sfax and give everything to secure qualification.

Inspired by the Japanese but equally wary of the challenge they will pose, India’s Commonwealth Games gold-winning judoka Asmita Dey says she is trying to sharpen her holds, pins and submission techniques to present a strong challenge at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Dey said she has spent considerable time trying to ace the three aspects of ground fighting as the Asian Games will be a significantly tougher test than the CWG in Glasgow, where she became the first Indian judoka to win a gold.

“The Asian Games, as compared to the Commonwealth Games, will be very tough for me because at the Asian Games we have some of the world’s best from rankings 7-14 competing there,” the 23-year-old Dey told PTI Videos as she looked forward to her maiden appearance at the Asian Games beginning September 19.

“Our master in Judo is Japan, so Japanese judokas are also there, so it is tough for me. I need to work on my Ne-Waza because if I am in the final, my opponent will most likely be Japanese.

“So a Japanese opponent will be tough for me even if I go toe-to-toe with them while standing. Their Ne-Waza is very strong,” she said.

Ne-waza refers to the phase of a judo bout fought on the ground, where athletes attempt to control their opponents through Osaekomi-Waza, or holding and pinning techniques, while also looking for opportunities to finish the contest with submission techniques.

Dey is drawing inspiration from one of Japan’s biggest judo stars, Uta Abe, whose technique and style have particularly impressed the Indian.

Abe, 26, is the reigning world champion in the women’s -52kg category and a five-time world champion.

She won her fifth world title at the 2025 World Judo Championships and is also the Tokyo Olympics gold-medallist in the same weight category. She has remained at the top level in 2026, winning the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in June.

“I take a lot of inspiration from Uta Abe. I really like her a lot as a judoka. She is an Olympic champion and multiple-time World Champion as well for a long time, and her brother is also a judoka, so I like her technique a lot and her style of game,” Dey said.

Abe’s success has also made her one of the most recognisable faces of Japanese judo.

She and her elder brother Hifumi Abe won Olympic gold on the same day at the Tokyo Games, becoming the first siblings in the world to achieve such a feat.

For Dey, however, it is Abe’s technical prowess that stands out.

“Whenever she is able to get hold of the hand grip, she is able to execute Sode and Uchi-mata so that’s something I am very impressed by,” she said.

Uchi-mata is an inner-thigh throwing technique, while sode-based throws use the opponent’s sleeve grip to help execute the attack.

Dey’s Commonwealth Games triumph has given her a significant confidence boost, although she admitted that extensive travel following the Glasgow Games has disrupted her training rhythm.

“Winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games has given my confidence a huge boost but I have travelled a lot as well which has disturbed my training a bit. But I am trying to get back to my training and rhythm,” she said.

“I will try my level best with my training and hard work and win a medal for my country at Asian Games as well,” Dey said.

Eight matches played. Four points for the United States. Four points for the Europeans. If there’s anything we learned after Friday’s first-day play at the Solheim Cup, it’s that the next two days should be good at Bernardus Golf course in the Netherlands. 

The biggest drama on Friday was saved for the very end. 

Solheim Cup Saturday preview 

On the par-4 18, the European duo of Carlota Ciganda and Julia Lopez Ramirez and Americans Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin were all square in their four-ball match — and Ciganda’s clubface on the tee wasn’t square. She went right. On her second shot, she played up the adjacent first hole. From right of the green with her third shot, she pitched to 10 feet. Ahead of her, the Americans were in with a par, and Lopez Ramirez bogeyed. 

Then came Friday’s final stroke. 

Ciganda made her par putt. 

Each side won a half-point. And the Europeans and the Americans will enter Saturday knotted at 4. 

“I love this week,” Ciganda said on Golf Channel afterward. “I just love playing for the team, for my teammates. Anna [captain Anna Nordqvist] is a good friend of mine, so I just want to win for her. So I’ve been playing alongside Julia, my good Spanish friend. It’s been amazing. 

“We had a tough match against Nelly and Lauren, very consistent, but we fought hard and at least we got half a point, which I think is really important.”

2026 Solheim Cup TV schedule

TV coverage of the 2026 Solheim Cup will be provided by Golf Channel. 

Here’s the full Solheim Cup TV schedule for the weekend:

Saturday, Sept. 12: 1:30 a.m.-1 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Sunday, Sept. 13: 5 a.m.-12 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

2026 Solheim Cup streaming schedule

You can watch streaming coverage of the 2026 Solheim Cup via Golfchannel.com and the Golf Channel app, including live simulcasts of Golf Channel’s coverage starting at 1:30 a.m. ET on Saturday and 5 a.m. ET on Sunday.

2026 Solheim Cup Saturday matchups, tee times (ET)

Foursomes (alternate shot)

1:40 a.m. – Allisen Corpuz and Nelly Korda (USA) vs. Maja Stark and Linn Grant (Europe)

1:52 a.m. – Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang (USA) vs.  Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit (Europe)

2:04 a.m. – Andrea Lee and Auston Kim (USA) vs. Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud (Europe)

2:16 a.m. – Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin (USA) vs. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad (Europe)

Four-ball (best ball) 

TBD 

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