China badminton 'still strong' despite Asian Games slump

Socks worn by Uzbekistan volleyball players during a match against Japan at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 27 caught the attention of social media. The socks featured three green and blue stripes and seemed to be a product sold by the Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart. The following day, this reporter asked Uzbekistan team members about the socks.

Libero Shakhzod Omonov and setter Mirziyod Murodov, who had worn the socks, confirmed they were indeed bought at FamilyMart. The players had been unaware of the rule that all players on a team must wear socks of the same color and length during the six-a-side volleyball match. They had brought socks of varying colors and lengths, and finding matching socks within a limited time in a foreign country proved challenging.

The Uzbekistan team was staying at a hotel near a FamilyMart, and the store conveniently sold the required socks, averting a potential crisis. The team, which had little experience competing in major international tournaments, never expected to face such a problem at the Asian Games. They are a fledgling team, participating in their second tournament at such a high level.

Omonov expressed gratitude for the FamilyMart socks, noting that their colors matched the national flag, looked cute, and were of good quality and comfort. FamilyMart's public relations department commented on being "extremely pleased and proud" that their Line Socks were worn at such a prestigious event. The accessibility of Japan's widely praised convenience stores helped athletes compete on the international stage.