Hangzhou, China – It’s finally time for the Asian Games, an event that has been eagerly awaited after facing a year-long delay due to the pandemic. This 19th edition of the Games is poised to make history, officially kicking off in the vibrant Chinese city of Hangzhou with a spectacular two-hour opening ceremony.
Dating back to 1951, the Asian Games have always been grander than the Olympics when it comes to the number of athletes and sports. This year, however, it promises to be the biggest and most extravagant one yet. With a record-breaking participation of nearly 12,500 athletes from 45 countries and territories, competing across 40 sports, the excitement is palpable.
Vinod Kumar Tiwari, the acting director general of the Olympic Council of Asia, expressed his delight, saying, “It is really a pleasure to see that, after three years of pandemic, the interest that has been generated for these Games. Because these will be the first Games that will be held without any restrictions…for the first time after the pandemic.”
A Fusion of Tradition and Diversity
The Games will take place in 56 venues, including 12 newly built ones. While traditional events like athletics and swimming are part of the program, Hangzhou 2017 aims to showcase Asia’s diverse sporting culture. Spectators can look forward to witnessing thrilling matches in lesser-known sports like sepak takraw, kabaddi, and wushu.
As the host country, China has the privilege of selecting which sports to include in the program. Unique non-Olympic events like bridge, chess, and Xiangqi (Chinese chess) are featured, attracting participants and fans alike. Additionally, to capture the interest of younger generations, e-sports, breakdancing, and sport climbing have been added, marking their debut at the Asian Games. The inclusion of e-sport medal events, including FIFA Online 4, Street Fighter V, and League of Legends, is a testament to the growing popularity of e-sports in Asia.
Wissam Trkmani, the project and operations manager at the Olympic Council of Asia, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “Together, we will celebrate the beauty and diversity of e-sports. May the Road to Asian Games be a testament to the incredible achievements and unwavering dedication of e-sports athletes in Asia.”
India’s javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra [File: Denis Balibouse/Reuters]
Striving for Gold: Star Athletes to Watch
Over the course of 15 days, athletes will be competing for a total of 481 gold medals, making every event a thrilling spectacle. Among the many participants, there are several star athletes who have caught the attention of fans worldwide.
Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin thrower, is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars to keep an eye on. Having won India’s first track-and-field Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and achieving the status of world champion in August, he is a force to be reckoned with. With 6.2 million followers on Instagram, Chopra is one of the most followed athletics stars, second only to the legendary Usain Bolt, who retired in 2017.
Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim, the Olympic high-jump champion, will be aiming for his third Asian Games title after securing gold in both 2010 and 2014. Another notable athlete is Riako Ikee, the standout star of the 2018 Asian Games. As swimming takes center stage in the first week of competition, Ikee’s remarkable achievements and inspiring journey will captivate spectators. The Japanese swimmer won an astonishing six gold medals at the previous edition of the Asian Games, becoming the first female athlete to be named the Asian Games MVP. Despite facing leukemia soon after, she fought back courageously and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
Swimmer Zhang Yufei is one of China’s great hopes for a gold medal [File: Issei Kato/Reuters]
China’s Sporting Powerhouse
China has consistently dominated the Asian Games medal table since 1982, and this year is no exception. Fielding an 886-strong team, including athletes as young as 13-year-old skateboarder Cui Chenxi and as seasoned as 60-year-old bridge player Dai Jianming, China is determined to showcase its prowess on home soil.
Gao Zhidan, the director of China’s National Sports Bureau, urged the athletes to be good hosts and ambassadors, stating, “Be good hosts, conduct extensive friendly exchanges, and demonstrate our country’s good image of reform and opening up, economic development, and social progress to Asian and international communities.”
Among China’s most promising contenders is swimmer Zhang Yufei, who recently secured the 100-meter butterfly gold at the world championships in Fukuoka. Zhang will be competing for up to seven gold medals in Hangzhou. Another standout swimmer is Pan Zhanle, a rising 19-year-old star, who is favored to win the 100-meter freestyle after setting the Asian record twice in 2023. In addition, China’s diving events and table tennis are expected to be dominated by their exceptional talents, including world number ones Fan Zhendong and Sun Yingsha.
As badminton enthusiasts eagerly await the action, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn and South Korea’s An Seyoung, newly crowned world champions, will vie for the gold medal. Moreover, cricket fans might witness an enthralling clash between rivals India and Pakistan, as India sends a team to the Asian Games for the first time.
The closing ceremony, scheduled for October 8, will not only mark the end of the Hangzhou Games but will also feature the symbolic handover to Japan, who will host the Aichi-Nagoya Games in 2026. Furthermore, in an exciting development, Qatar has been selected as the host for the 2030 Asian Games.
Let the games begin, and let the spirit of sportsmanship and excellence prevail in Hangzhou!
For more information about the Asian Games, visit Ekilove.