China has maintained its unbroken supremacy in diving at the Asian Games, a streak that dates back to the nation’s debut 52 years ago. Divers Chen Yiwen and Lian Junjie secured victories in the final two events, marking a 14th consecutive clean sweep for the country in the sport since 1974. China’s divers extended their remarkable Asian Games unbeaten record stretching back to 1974 as a top Japanese official apologised for “inconveniences” that have dogged the continent’s premier sporting event. According to “Representing my country and playing these types of games, SEA Games, Asian Games and hopefully the Olympics, they’re very close to my heart and a big part of my dreams,”, Eala.
Reflecting on the achievement, double Paris Olympics champion Chen emphasized the dedication behind the success. She noted that female divers are pushing themselves to master increasingly difficult routines, training with the same intensity as their male counterparts. “We do not train any less than the boys,” she added. “Girls are every bit as capable as boys.
As the event nears its conclusion in four days, China’s overall gold medal tally has climbed to 150. Japan currently sits in second place with 50 golds, followed by South Korea with 24. Chinese divers were unstoppable once more on Wednesday as the country’s sizeable overall tally of gold medals swelled to 150 with four days left.
Away from the pool, tennis star Alexandra Eala is advancing through the women’s singles draw. The world number 18 defeated Taiwan’s Joanna Garland 7-5, 6-0 to reach the semifinals. Eala, who hopes the tournament will serve as a path to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is set to face China’s Wang Xiyu in the next round. In tennis, the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala stormed into the semifinals, cheered on by fans who had come from far and wide to see their hero in action.
In boxing, Lin Yu-ting has guaranteed herself at least a silver medal. The Olympic champion, who faced intense scrutiny regarding gender eligibility during the Paris 2024 Games, defeated Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova 5-0 in the 60kg semifinals and is now one win away from gold.
The football tournament also reached a critical stage, with South Korea defeating China 2-1 thanks to an 82nd-minute goal. South Korea will meet Japan in the final after the hosts edged out Uzbekistan on penalties, following a 1-1 deadlock that lasted 120 minutes.
Amid the competition, Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa, who serves as the acting chairman of the local organizing committee, issued a formal apology to athletes. He acknowledged the “inconveniences” and mismanagement concerns that have troubled the event, which hosts over 17,000 athletes and officials.
The games have faced criticism over logistical failures, including transport issues and a severe shortage of sleeping accommodations. In a departure from traditional events, there is no centralized athletes’ village, forcing participants to stay in temporary wooden units, hotels, or on a cruise ship to manage costs.
Mayor Hirosawa stated that the committee must sincerely reflect on the mishandling that occurred, confirming that organizers are prioritizing the concerns raised by the affected delegations.
