The 20th Asian Games concluded on October 4, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after hosting 17,000 athletes over two weeks. The closing ceremony was led by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, where the torch was passed to the organizers of the next event in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for 2030.
The event featured 469 gold-medal events across various locations, including Tokyo and Osaka, and attracted more participants than the upcoming Paris Olympics. However, the scale of the event led to logistical challenges, with athletes and teams reporting issues with accommodation and transportation, prompting apologies from the organizing committee.
Despite these challenges, the games showcased impressive performances from young athletes. Notably, 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi from China was awarded the female Most Valuable Player (MVP) after winning three individual gold medals. Other standout performances included 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo, who won seven golds, and 17-year-old Shin Ohashi, who set a new world record in the 200m breaststroke.
Track and field events also featured young talent, with 18-year-old Yan Ziyi winning gold in the women’s javelin and 20-year-old Puripol Boonson sweeping the men’s 100m and 200m events. However, logistical failures persisted, with reports of athletes waiting up to 12 hours for registration and transport issues affecting event schedules.
The South Korean delegation expressed dissatisfaction with the organization, particularly after a mix-up during the national anthem ceremony. Attendance at events was low, with fewer than 1,000 spectators present at some competitions in large venues. Despite the challenges, the OCA praised the organization of the games, which included a record 43-sport program.
China topped the medal table with 341 medals, including 169 gold, while Japan secured 83 gold medals, surpassing its previous record from the 1994 Hiroshima Games. The next Asian Games are set to be hosted in Qatar, with potential adjustments to the schedule to align with Olympic qualifiers for Brisbane 2032.