{
  "id": 11916159,
  "title": "Sayonara Aichi-Nagoya, welcome to Doha [WATCH]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/sayonara-aichi-nagoya-welcome-to-doha-watch",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T11:08:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/10/1547592/sayonara-aichi-nagoya-welcome-doha-watch"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games concluded on Sunday after 16 days of intense competition, with Asia's top athletes vying for medal honors. The Malaysian team concluded their tournament in 11th place overall, having earned nine gold, seven silver, and 16 bronze medals. China dominated the event, clinching the top spot with an impressive tally of 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals. Japan finished in second place with an 83-95-91 result, while South Korea secured third place with 39 gold, 43 silver, and 68 bronze medals. The closing ceremony at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium kicked off at 6:00 pm local time, attended by Crown Prince Akishino Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, as well as OCA president Sheikh Joaan Hamad Al Thani. The event commenced with the raising of the Japanese flag and national anthem, followed by an artistic performance called \"Hearts Beating as One with Athletes.\" Athletes from around the continent joined the parade, symbolizing unity as competitors who had previously claimed podium finishes shared the stage in a jubilant atmosphere. The program then shifted to the \"Gratitude and Emotion Celebration Heart\" segment, showcasing highlights from Aichi-Nagoya 2026 as a tribute to athletes and everyone who helped make the Games a success. OCA president and AINAGOC president, Hideaki Omura, delivered speeches before the OCA flag was lowered, officially marking the end of the quadrennial event. The spotlight turned to the official handover ceremony to Doha, Qatar, which will host the next Asian Games. Qatar's representatives accepted the OCA flag and torch from the Aichi-Nagoya hosts, followed by the raising of the Qatar flag to its national anthem. A cultural presentation by Doha provided spectators with a glimpse of Qatari heritage and the country's vision as the incoming host. The emotional highlight came as the flame was extinguished, symbolically concluding the 16-day journey in Aichi-Nagoya. The grand finale featured a performance titled \"One Asia, One Heart,\" a mass bon-odori dance uniting participants across borders and generations, serving as a lasting emblem of Asian solidarity.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games drew to a close on Sunday after 16 days of thrilling action that saw Asia's finest athletes battle for medal glory, paving the way for Doha, Qatar to take over hosting duties for the next edition.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sayonara Aichi-Nagoya, welcome to Doha",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/sayonara-aichi-nagoya-welcome-to-doha",
        "published": "2026-10-04T11:08:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}