Asian Games open in Nagoya with dazzling ceremony after bumpy road to the starting line
The 20th Asian Games officially kicked off in Nagoya on Saturday night with a spectacle of dance, music, and fireworks, offering a moment of unity after months of logistical headaches that tested the patience of athletes and officials alike.
Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open before a packed Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, marking Japan's return to hosting major international sporting events with full crowds for the first time since the pandemic-era Tokyo Olympics five years ago.
In his address, Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani struck a hopeful tone, noting that while the world faces division and conflict, the athletes gathered in Nagoya remind us that sport remains a powerful force for peace, understanding, and friendship among nations.
What went wrong during the Asian Games buildup?
Behind the glittering ceremony lay a buildup riddled with complaints. Organizers opted to skip a dedicated athletes' village, instead housing more than 11,000 competitors in a patchwork of hotel rooms, temporary wooden containers, and a cruise ship docked in the bay, all in the name of cutting costs.
Several delegations, including hosts Japan, reported mix-ups and double-bookings. South Korea's basketball team found the Garden Pier containers too cramped, while India's cricket board arranged private hotel accommodations for its star-studded men's team after a tight allocation of beds.
Athletes also faced long registration lines upon arrival, and buses reportedly ran late or dropped competitors at the wrong venues. The Olympic Council of Asia acknowledged the issues on Saturday but dismissed them as teething difficulties.
Who lit the cauldron at the Nagoya opening ceremony?
Japan's father-and-son hammer throw duo, Shigenobu Murofushi and Koji Murofushi, both former Asian Games champions, jointly lit the cauldron after climbing the stairs at the end of the torch relay, a moment that drew loud cheers from the crowd.
The ceremony, directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, opened with a subdued classical performance on a heart-shaped stage before building into a vibrant celebration featuring dancers in boiler suits honoring Nagoya's manufacturing heritage and a fireworks finale.
Under the theme Harmonic Heart Beat, organizers aimed to project Asian solidarity at an event often shadowed by geopolitical tensions and historic grudges.
What controversies have marked the early days of the Games?
Hopes for a peaceful Games have already faced tests. Taiwan's delegation briefly refused to participate in their welcoming ceremony on Friday after sports minister Lee Yang, an Olympic champion, was blocked from attending.
In another incident, the South Korean men's hockey team was upset when North Korea's national anthem was played at the stadium before their match instead of their own.
When will the first gold medals be decided?
While basketball, soccer, and other sports have already begun, the first gold medal of the Games is expected on Sunday, likely in the triathlon.
Swimming fans will turn their attention to Tokyo on Sunday, where China's 100-meter freestyle world-record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi headline a high-class competition.
What new sports are debuting at the Asian Games?
Beyond traditional Olympic disciplines, the Games feature regional favorites like kabaddi and sepak takraw, alongside modern additions. Esports will award medals again after its debut in Hangzhou, while teqball, a hybrid of table tennis and soccer, and virtual taekwondo make their first appearance.
The 43-sport programme offers 369 gold medals, a record scale that has stretched organizers but also showcased the breadth of Asian sporting talent.
For Filipino fans, the Games represent another chance to see the country's athletes compete on the continental stage, with hopes high for medals in boxing, gymnastics, and other disciplines where the Philippines has recently excelled.