N. Korea to send some 100 athletes to 2026 Asian Games

North Korea intends to send around 100 athletes to compete in 14 sports at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, according to a senior official from the country's National Olympic Committee. The delegation's performance is expected to surpass their previous accomplishments at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, where North Korea sent 185 athletes across 18 sports and secured 11 gold, 18 silver, and 10 bronze medals.

Despite the smaller team and fewer sports, North Korean athletes have reportedly done everything they could to deliver better results, given the high expectations from the nation and its people. The roster includes two Korean athletes from Japan, footballer Ri Song-a and karate practitioner Jong Se-ri. The quadrennial event will take place in and around Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with Nagoya serving as the main host city.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 19, while preliminary competitions in sports like basketball, football, hockey, and volleyball will occur before that date. The closing ceremony is set for October 4.