Asian Games close in Japan after records, rancour and rain
The 20th Asian Games in Japan concluded following a series of record-breaking performances by young athletes, despite logistical challenges and criticism regarding management. The event served as a testing ground for new housing models, which faced mixed reviews from participants.
Why it matters
The event highlights the evolving challenges of hosting massive international sporting events and the potential for future cost-saving measures in infrastructure.
The Asian Games in Japan closed on Sunday (October 4, 2026) after a fortnight lit up by record-smashing young stars but marred by mishaps, mediocre crowds and accusations of mismanagement.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials, a bigger number than the Olympics, descended on Nagoya and Aichi prefecture for the continent’s premier sporting spectacular.
Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi, just 13, stole the show with three gold medals, all in Games-record times.
She looks set to be a major medal threat at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The schoolgirl was named a Games MVP to cap an extraordinary showing that saw her scorch to gold in the 200m butterfly and do the 200m-400m individual medley double.
For all that, the shy teenager said: “I don’t think I am what people describe as a prodigy.”
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