Nagoya: The 20th edition of the Asian Games commenced in Nagoya, bringing together thousands of athletes from 45 nations for Asia's largest sporting event. The opening ceremony highlighted the host city's renowned hospitality and the spirit of unity among the participating countries.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Asian Games, officially known as the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, mark the third time Japan has hosted the event, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. While Nagoya is the primary host, several sports events will be held in other Japanese cities. Tokyo will host all swimming events, and some football matches will take place in Osaka and Shizuoka, outside Aichi Prefecture.
The Games' slogan, "Imagine One Asia," reflects the event's goal of fostering connections across the continent. Athletes will compete for 469 gold medals across 43 sports and 71 disciplines until October 4. The opening ceremony, directed by local filmmaker Yukihiko Tsutsumi, took place at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium under the theme "Harmonic Heart Beat," showcasing the continent's unity.
South Korea, represented under the name "Republic of Korea," entered 16th in the parade of athletes. The country is competing in 41 out of 43 sports, excluding cricket and padel, with a delegation of 1,051 athletes and officials. Table tennis star Shin Yu-bin and veteran rower Kim Dong-yong served as the flag bearers.
Shin, who will compete in multiple events, is a major medal hopeful, especially in mixed doubles, where she and her partner are ranked world No. 1. Kim, a seasoned rower, aims for a medal in the quadruple sculls event. South Korea's target is to secure around 45 gold medals, aiming to close the gap with Japan, the previous runner-up, while China is predicted to lead the medal tally.
The swimming events begin in Tokyo, where South Korean swimmers Hwang Sun-woo and Kim Young-beom will vie for medals in the men's 100-meter freestyle. North Korea, under its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is making a historic appearance on Japanese soil, sending 107 athletes to compete in 14 sports.
The opening ceremony featured a torch relay with notable Japanese athletes, culminating in the lighting of the Asian Games cauldron by former hammer thrower Koji Murofushi and his father Shigenobu Murofushi, concluding the two-hour event.