Rain may have stolen the finals—but it couldn't rain on Japan’s parade. At the Women’s Softball Asia Cup in Xi’an, in Shaanxi Province in the northwest of the Chinese mainland, a sudden downpour canceled both the gold and bronze medal games, freezing the standings and handing Japan its fourth straight title. The world No.1 team was flawless in the prelims, posting a perfect 9-0 record.
China, buoyed by a tight 8-4 victory over Chinese Taipei, secured silver with an 8-1 mark. Chinese Taipei claimed the bronze spot at 7-2, while the Philippines rounded out the top four at 6-3, all based on round-robin performance.
More than just medals were on the line. Japan, China, and Chinese Taipei punched tickets to the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the Czech Republic, Peru, and the USA. At the same time, the Cup served as a qualifier for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, with South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and Thailand also sealing their spots.
Despite the soggy finale, the Asia Cup showcased the region’s softball depth and set the stage for an electrifying run-up to next summer’s global events. With rankings decided by grit and records, these teams are ready to take on the world.
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Japan retain Women's Softball Asia Cup title after final-day rainout
cgtn.com
