Asian Games: Japan signs off, Doha takes the 2030 baton

Qatar will host the 2030 Games. (Image credit: X)

NAGOYA: It has been a testing three weeks for Japan. Accommodation woes, transport and logistical nightmares, mismanagement and weather that refused to cooperate – the challenges the Asian Games organisers faced were plenty.Yet, as the Games drew to a close, there was enough to celebrate. Records were broken, medals won, friendships forged and, on Sunday, the baton was passed to Doha as Japan bid farewell to representatives from 44 countries at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.

India finished fourth in the medals tally, while China topped the standings by a distance, collecting 341 medals, including an astonishing 169 golds.Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani described the Games as an event that would “shape the next generation of Asian sport” before welcoming the next chapter to his home country.“Tonight, as we lower the flag on Aichi-Nagoya 2026, we close these Games, but we raise the bar for Asian sport,” he said.“Over 350 records have been broken, including more than 50 world records. Forty out of the 45 NOCs achieved medals. This is a record for our Asian Games,” the 40-year-old added.In a symbolic handover to the next hosts, Qatar’s equestrian rider Jassim Al Kuwari, entered the stadium on horseback and received the OCA flag on behalf of Doha, which will host the 2030 Games.