Games-Athletes to watch at 2026 Asian Games

Sept 16 - The Asian Games begins on Saturday in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, and run through October 4.

Here are some of the athletes expected to make their mark at the continental multi-sport event.

World record holder Pan Zhanle lit up the pool at the Paris Olympics by winning gold in the 100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay, as well as silver in the 4x100m mixed medley relay.

The 22-year-old won seven medals, including three golds, at the Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago.

Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi heads into her home Asian Games in outstanding form after breaking her own Japanese record with a winning throw of 68.92m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

Kitaguchi, 28, is expected to battle China's teen sensation Yan Ziyi for gold.