Nagoya: The 20th edition of the Asian Games commenced with a grand celebration of warm hospitality in Nagoya, the main host city, as thousands of athletes from 45 nations gathered for the continent's largest sporting event. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, as it is officially named, marks the third time Japan has hosted the event, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Asian Games features competitions spread across Aichi, with some events taking place outside the prefecture. All swimming races will be held in Tokyo, while certain football matches are scheduled in Osaka and Shizuoka. The games, under the slogan "Imagine One Asia," will see athletes competing for 469 gold medals in 43 sports and 71 disciplines through October 4.
The opening ceremony, directed by Nagoya-born filmmaker Yukihiko Tsutsumi, was held at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The theme "Harmonic Heart Beat" symbolized the unity and connections formed among athletes from across the continent. Tsutsumi emphasized the spirit of "warm hospitality" that characterizes Nagoya and Aichi, with the main stage designed to resemble a large heart.
Participants entered the stadium in alphabetical order by their countries' names. South Korea, under its official name "Republic of Korea," was the 16th nation in the parade. The country is represented by 1,051 athletes and officials, with participation in 41 of the 43 sports, excluding cricket and padel. Table tennis star Shin Yu-bin and veteran rower Kim Dong-yong served as co-flag bearers for South Korea.
Shin Yu-bin, a prominent athlete, is set to compete in multiple table tennis events. Along with her mixed doubles partner, Lim Jong-hoon, she is a top contender for medals. Kim Dong-yong, a seasoned rower, will compete in the men's double sculls and quadruple sculls events.
South Korea aims to secure approximately 45 gold medals, striving to close the gap with Japan, as China is anticipated to dominate the competition. In previous games, Japan secured second place with 52 gold medals, surpassing South Korea by 10.
The competition heats up on Sunday, with South Korea targeting multiple golds in events such as modern pentathlon and men's singles in teqball. The men's basketball team is set to face Japan for the gold medal. The swimming events in Tokyo will feature South Korean athletes Hwang Sun-woo and Kim Young-beom in the men's 100-meter freestyle.
North Korea, participating in its first Asian Games on Japanese soil, paraded as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, entering right after China. Boxer Hwang Hyo-sun and table tennis player U Tae-ryong carried the flag for North Korea, which has sent 107 athletes to compete in 14 sports. North Korea previously finished 10th in the past two Asian Games, securing 12 gold medals in 2018 and 11 in 2023.