Asian Games close in Japan after record-breaking feats and young stars shine

NAGOYA: The Asian Games in Japan concluded on Sunday, concluding a fortnight marked by record-breaking performances by young athletes and encountering challenges such as poor attendance and mismanagement issues. Over 17,000 athletes and officials, a crowd exceeding the size of the Olympics, gathered in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture for the continent's leading sporting event.

Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi, aged 13, emerged as a standout performer with three gold medals, all set in Games-record times. Yu is anticipated to be a formidable medal contender at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The teenager, who earned the Games MVP award, stated, "I don't think I am what people describe as a prodigy." Japanese swimmer Shin Ohashi, only 17, also made waves by shattering the men's 200m breaststroke world record.

In athletics, Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson, 20, achieved a 100m-200m double and was recognized as men's MVP.

The closing ceremony, a vibrant display of color and music, saw Japan transfer hosting responsibilities to Doha for the 2030 Games. Olympic Council of Asia director general Husain Al-Musallam admitted that the event had mishaps and shortcomings, highlighting the difficulty athletes faced in performing due to poor sleep and transportation.

The Games, which opened on September 19, witnessed 50 world records shattered, but the absence of a traditional athletes' village, replaced by temporary wooden units and a cruise ship, led to complaints about cramped conditions and insufficient sleeping arrangements. Despite these challenges, the event did deliver moments of excellence, such as a cricket final won by India against Pakistan and a standout performance from North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum, who set three new world records.

However, issues persisted, including athletes' buses failing to arrive on time and teams being sent to the wrong venues. Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, criticized the Games, giving them a failing grade due to attendance problems and organizational mishaps. The host nation, Japan, finished with 83 gold medals, trailing behind China's 169.

Notably, 11-year-old Japanese athlete Yuki Kurihara made history by winning an eSports competition, becoming the youngest Games champion in history.