Asian Games chaos! Typhoon Dujuan disrupts equestrian; India’s schedule cut short

The area around a ramen restaurant is flooded by heavy rain as Typhoon Dujuan approaches, in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (Reuters)

New Delhi: Typhoon Dujuan cast a shadow over the Asian Games on Monday, forcing organisers to postpone the opening day of the equestrian eventing competition at Tokyo Equestrian Park as a precaution against worsening weather.The dressage phase, involving India’s riders, was called off after organisers grew wary of heavy rain and strong winds that could make conditions unsafe. An Indian rider told TOI that the decision was taken as a safety measure and riders were asked to stay indoors before returning to their designated team hotel.

The postponement has squeezed the three-day programme into two days. Dressage and cross-country will now be held on Tuesday, with jumping scheduled for Wednesday.While swimming and cycling continued largely unaffected in Tokyo city, the outdoor equestrian competition bore the brunt of the approaching storm.The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that Dujuan could bring intense rain, strong winds and flooding to eastern Japan. Heavy rain is expected to persist into Tuesday.

Meanwhile, some Indian riders have raised concerns over communications from chef-de-equipe, Lt Col Sandeep Dewan.

Riders alleged that while Dewan was attending official delegation meetings, information from those meetings was not being shared with them.They also said they were not consulted about attending the opening ceremony. Riders stressed that the order of go should first be discussed among athletes and the coach before being finalised and conveyed to the chef-de-equipe.The concerns come with India seeking to defend its dressage gold from the previous Asian Games, as the competition resumes amid challenging weather.