'Godlike, invincible': Japan hails 11-year-old Games history-maker

NAGOYA: Japan celebrated the triumph of a young eSports prodigy on Sunday, as 11-year-old Yuki Kurihara claimed historic gold in the Asian Games. The primary school student stunned the competition in his home country of Japan, defeating opponents nearly three times his age. His performance in the final of Puyo Puyo Champions, a puzzle game where players attempt to clear their screen of colored blobs by aligning and popping them, earned him the distinction of being the youngest gold medallist in Asian Games history.

His victory was dubbed "godlike" by the local press, with papers like Sports Hochi and Nippon reporting on his remarkable feat. Eleven-year-old Kurihara, who will not turn 12 until next June, made history by becoming Japan's youngest ever athlete to win a medal at the Asian Games. Despite his impressive win, the proud young gold medallist displayed little emotion during the competition, maintaining a poker face even as he secured his victory.

Kurihara's achievement marks Japan's first eSports gold in the Asian Games, a testament to his extraordinary talent. He began playing Puyo Puyo at the age of five and soon started competing and winning in tournaments. His professional license was obtained in April this year, and he regularly outperforms adults in the games. When asked about what he would spend any prize money from the Asian Games on, Kurihara expressed a preference for sparkling gemstones, particularly blue ones.