The 20th Asian Games are underway in Japan's Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, running from 19 September to 4 October. Approximately 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are competing across 43 sports.
Opening Ceremony and Early Highlights
During the opening ceremony, retired Japanese hammer thrower Shigenobu Murofushi and his son Koji Murofushi lit the main cauldron. China's Yuan Jinwei secured a thrilling win in the men's cross-country final.
In the women's 400-meter heats, Malaysia's Shereen Samson Vallabouy competed but did not advance to the finals. Thailand faced South Korea in a Sepak takraw final, a sport combining volleyball rules with soccer flair.
Swimming, Fencing, and Gymnastics
Satomi Suzuki won the Women's 100m Breaststroke Heat 3. In the men's foil team fencing final, Cheung Ka Long of Hong Kong competed against Shunsuke Baba of Japan. China's Yao Yang participated in the Jianshu routine of the Women's Chinese martial art competition.
Myanmar's Friday Saw played against Philippines' Prince Agustin in the men's singles bronze-medal teqball match. Female competitors cooled down during the women's half marathon race walk. Japan's Mana Okamura competed on the vault in the Women's All-Around Final Subdivision 3.
Triathlon, Football, and Other Events
US-born Ian Yentou Ho, now competing for Hong Kong, prepared for the Men's 50m Freestyle race. China competed in the 10m air rifle mixed team final. Olympic and Asian Games champion Qiu Qiyuan of China competed in the floor exercise of the women's all-around final in Artistic Gymnastics.
Athletes dove into the water for the start of the men's individual triathlon final. Hoi Yuen Joanne Chen of Hong Kong performed on the vault in the Women's All-Around Final Subdivision 1. Women's football in Asia is experiencing a surge in popularity.
Teqball, Wushu, and Other Sports
Lebanon's Kamar Dandal controlled the ball during the women's singles bronze-medal teqball match against Cambodia's Koemyean Dy. Wushu, with deep cultural roots, was performed by Sun Chia-hung of Chinese Taipei. Indonesia's Maria Natalia Londa competed in the Athletics Women's Triple Jump Final.
Chen Yufei of China competed in the Badminton Women's Team Quarterfinals against Thailand. Balletic action marked the women's synchronised 10m platform dive. Table tennis, often overshadowed by badminton, requires exceptional reflexes and agility. China's Chunge Niu competed in the women's pole vault final, and Uzbekistan's Shokhruh Davlatov lay on the track after finishing the men's marathon.
