Main Korean delegation arrives in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan - The primary contingent of the Korean delegation to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games touched down in the central Japanese host city on Thursday, aiming to contend with the home nation in the medal standings commencing this weekend. According to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), 122 athletes and officials from six sports disembarked at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, located roughly 30 kilometers south of Nagoya.

They are set to join athletes in sports like football, volleyball, and basketball, whose competitions have already kicked off in and around Nagoya. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, while the competition is slated to conclude on October 4. The KSOC is aiming to secure around 45 gold medals, with Korea planning to compete in 41 out of 43 sports.

China is anticipated to dominate the medal race once more, leaving Korea and Japan to vie for second place. At the previous Asiad three years ago, Japan secured second place with 52 gold medals, 10 more than third-ranked Korea. Shin Yu-bin, a table tennis player, and Seo Seung-jae, a badminton player, headed the delegation's procession through the Japanese airport upon their arrival.