The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games ended on Sunday with China on 169 golds and host Japan on a record 83, as organisers handed the next Games to Doha in 2030.
The 20th Asian Games closed on Sunday at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya. Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani declared the Games closed and passed the flag toward organisers of the next edition in Doha in 2030.
About 17,000 athletes and officials took part, more than at the Paris Olympics, across 469 gold-medal events spread from Tokyo to Osaka. Events used existing and redeveloped venues in an effort to limit cost. Reuters described a fortnight marked by youthful performances and also by logistical problems and modest crowds.
China finished first with 169 gold medals and 341 medals overall, its best haul at an Asian Games held outside China. Host Japan won 83 golds and 269 medals in total, breaking its previous Asian Games gold record from Hiroshima in 1994.
Individual marks included Japan's 17-year-old Shin Ohashi breaking the 200-metre breaststroke world record. China's Zhang Zhanshuo, 19, became the first swimmer to win seven golds at a single Asian Games. South Korean sport climber Seo Chae-hyun carried the national flag at the closing parade after gold in women's lead and bronze in boulder.
The OCA called the Games a success and praised the frugal setup. Criticism over athlete accommodation and transport is part of the record the organisers leave as Qatar prepares for 2030.