Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games conclude... "See you in Doha, Qatar"

[Financial News] The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which opened on the 19th of last month, came to a close on the 4th. The competition concluded with a closing ceremony at 6 p.m. Korea time at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. A total of 10,798 athletes representing countries across Asia competed for 469 gold medals in 43 sports and 71 disciplines, turning the event into a festival of sport.
The Games were held just three years after the previous Asian Games, the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, was postponed for a year because of the impact of COVID-19 and held in 2023.
Held in Japan for the third time and for the first time in 32 years after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994, the Games were spread across Aichi Prefecture, including Nagoya, as well as parts of Osaka, Shizuoka, and Gifu.
As with the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was directed by Nagoya-born producer Yukihiko Tsutsumi. Unlike the opening ceremony, where delegations entered in alphabetical order by country, the delegations took part without a fixed order.
Korea's flag bearer at the closing ceremony was sport climber Seo Chae-hyun of Seoul Metropolitan Government and The North Face. The previous day, Seo won gold in the women's lead final at the Nagoya Port Messe exhibition hall after defeating Japan's Ai Mori.
Korea sent a 1,051-member delegation to 41 sports, excluding cricket and padel. The delegation fell short of its target of 40 to 45 gold medals, but came close by winning 39.
The delegation finished third behind China, with 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals, and Japan, with 83 gold, 95 silver, and 91 bronze medals. Korea retained third place from the previous Games but failed to narrow the gap with Japan.
Hideaki Ōmura, governor of Aichi Prefecture and chair of the organizing committee, said in his closing speech, "The goal we set—to be 'Together as One, Here'—became a reality at these Games. I am confident that the friendships forged through these Games will continue all the way to Qatar, the next host, and take deeper and stronger root."
This was followed by a speech and closing declaration from Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee handed over the torch from the inaugural Games, the OCA flag used at that time, and the current OCA flag to the next organizing committee. Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar's celebrated high jumper, also took part.
The next Games will be held in Doha, Qatar. They are scheduled to take place in 2030, four years from now, but the possibility of holding them in 2031 has been raised amid calls for changes to the Asian Games' operating model and status following the problems surrounding this edition.
The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee presented a performance under the concept "This Is Yours," expressing the journey from Aichi-Nagoya to Doha and a message of welcome. Barshim played a starring role in the performance, appearing both at the venue and in video segments, while equestrian athlete Jassim Al Kuwari arrived at the venue on horseback.
Qatar highlighted its experience in successfully hosting major sporting events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. Following the 2006 Doha Asian Games, Qatar is preparing to host the Asian Games for a second time.
[email protected] Choi A-young Reporter