Devastating Typhoon Bavi Postpones World Championship Matches Featuring Croatian Team

Typhoon Bavi has made landfall in China, forcing the evacuation of nearly two million people and disrupting the World Para Volleyball Championship in Hangzhou. The storm, which previously impacted Japan and Taiwan, arrived on China's coast near Taizhou on Saturday and reached Hangzhou in Zhejiang province on Sunday morning.

The championship, featuring 16 men's and 16 women's teams, was suspended on Saturday due to the approaching typhoon. Croatian representative Ivan Ćosić described strong winds overnight but noted that the competition resumed on Sunday. "The championship was interrupted on Saturday, everything was closed due to the announced arrival of the typhoon because it was passing quite close to us. It was very windy all night, but luckily nothing serious happened. Today it's still quite windy, but the championship has continued," Ćosić said.

The Croatian men's team has faced early setbacks, losing their first two group matches in Group C to Kazakhstan 0-3 and Iraq 0-3. Their next match is against Brazil. Depending on the results, Croatia could face the winners of Group D, which includes strong teams like Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the next round.

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The championship was interrupted on Saturday, everything was closed due to the announced arrival of the typhoon because it was passing quite close to us. It was very windy all night, but luckily nothing serious happened. Today it's still quite windy, but the championship has continued.

Ćosić expressed hope that the team can achieve at least ninth place, which would be an improvement from their tenth-place finish at the last World Championship. He emphasized that this tournament serves as a crucial indicator for their preparation for the European Championship and qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. "This World Championship will be an indicator for us of what and how to proceed ahead of the European Championship and qualification for the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. We are halfway through the Paralympic cycle and are working to see where we are good, where we are making mistakes, and what we need to fix before the most important part for us, the European Championship and qualification for Los Angeles," he added.

Winners of both the men's and women's competitions will secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

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This World Championship will be an indicator for us of what and how to proceed ahead of the European Championship and qualification for the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. We are halfway through the Paralympic cycle and are working to see where we are good, where we are making mistakes, and what we need to fix before the most important part for us, the European Championship and qualification for Los Angeles.