Nagoya, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)–The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games came to a close Sunday night with a closing ceremony held at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. More than 15,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions took part in the 20th edition of the Games, competing in 43 sports mainly across the central Japan prefecture over 16 days. The event marked the third time Japan has hosted the summer Asian Games, following the 1958 Tokyo and 1994 Hiroshima editions. Competing with its largest-ever delegation, Japan won 269 medals in total, including 83 gold medals. Both figures set new national records for a single Asian Games, putting Japan second behind China in the medal standings by country and region. While Japanese athletes’ strong performances highlighted the Games, operational problems also surfaced, including mistakes involving national anthems and transportation mishaps. At the closing ceremony, 17-year-old Shin Ohashi, who set a world record in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke, served as the flag bearer for the Japanese delegation. Crown Prince Akishino, the honorary president of the Games, and Crown Princess Kiko attended the ceremony. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, an international multisport event for athletes with disabilities, will be held Oct. 18-24. The next Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, in 2030. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
