Asian Games 2026 to open in Japan after troubled build-up

Inquirer.net - Sep 19, 2026

READ: Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 The 20th Asian Games will open in Japan later Saturday with a glittering ceremony following a stuttering build-up to a multi-sport spectacular that has more participants than the Olympics. The first gold medal will be won on Sunday morning, likely in the men’s individual

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LOOK: Team Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony

Sep 19, 2026

LOOK: Team Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony

Team Philippines joined the Parade of Nations at the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony on Saturday in Japan.

Asian Games opens with unity message after troubled build-up

Sep 19, 2026

Asian Games opens with unity message after troubled build-up

NAGOYA, Japan — The 20th Asian Games opened in Japan on Saturday with a message of unity following a troubled build-up to the multi-sport spectacular that has more athletes than the Olympics. There were however a large number of empty seats at the 30,000-capacity stadium in Nagoya, where a subdued crowd saw a colourful opening ceremony with the main stage in the shape of a giant heart. Japan's Emperor and Empress were given a respectful reception as they took their seats, with International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry also in attendance. The first gold medal will be won on Sunday morning, likely in the men's individual triathlon, as the continent's finest athletes compete in more than 40 sports before the curtain comes down on October 4. The event in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture has 2028 Olympics places up for grabs in seven sports and will be graced by global stars and fast-rising prodigies. But it has been dogged by a series of problems in the lead-up. The more than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials stretched organisers to the limit as they scrambled to find accommodation for everyone. To save money there is no traditional athletes' village, competitors instead staying in a combination of temporary container-style huts, hotels and cruise ship the Costa Serena. There was a record deluge last week which flooded parts of Nagoya and now a typhoon is approaching eastern Japan threatening further disruption in the coming days. Some athletes were left stranded at the airport when transport failed to turn up and several teams have complained about the quality of the huts, including the beds being too short. In the latest mishap, North Korea's national anthem was played on Friday for South Korea's men's hockey team. - Cheers, empty seats - Two-time Asian Games silver medallist Zahra Kiani was a flag-bearer for Iran and hopes to win another medal in the Chinese martial art of wushu -- by watching how it's done on YouTube. "I have been training with movies. I watch videos of Chinese athletes and I try to copy them," she said. The Olympic Council of Asia said the continent's premier sporting event, featuring 45 countries and territories, came at a vital moment. "The opening ceremony message is to show and demonstrate the unity of Asia against the conflicts around Asia (and) the political conflicts of the Middle East," OCA president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said before the show swung into action. There was no mistaking, however, the rows of empty seats, despite organisers saying all tickets had been taken. Apart from Japan's athletes, the biggest cheer was reserved for China's competitors as they filed into the arena. China will again expect to top the medals table after winning a whopping 201 golds and 383 medals on home soil in Hangzhou at the Covid-delayed Games in 2023. - Prodigies in spotlight - Basketball, football and cricket are among the sports already under way. As always at the Asian Games -- which started in 1951 -- Olympic staples such as athletics and swimming will sit side-by-side with regional favourites like sepak takraw and kabaddi. There will be eSports, breakdancing and BMX cycling. Padel and MMA will make their Asian Games debuts. Among those competing will be Philippine tennis sensation Alexandra Eala and a pair of prodigies in 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi. Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting will also be competing, two years after she won Paris Olympics gold in the middle of a major gender row that saw her eligibility questioned. North Korea will have more than 100 athletes competing across 14 sports, aiming to "bring joy to Marshal Kim Jong Un". Sooryavanshi will be part of an India cricket team looking to make a statement before the sport returns to the Olympics in Los Angeles after an absence of 128 years. India could face bitter rivals Pakistan in the final at Nagoya's new purpose-built cricket ground -- if rain does not intervene. AFP

UAAP: NU routs UE for first win in Season 89

Sep 19, 2026

UAAP: NU routs UE for first win in Season 89

National University broke through in the UAAP Season 102 men"s basketball tournament after routing the University of the East, 76-56, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Team Philippines parades in Francis Libiran 'Malaya' barong at 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony

Sep 19, 2026

Team Philippines parades in Francis Libiran 'Malaya' barong at 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony

MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines was formally seen during the parade of nations at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. The national delegation wore "Malaya," a modern Barong Tagalog designed by fashion designer Francis Libiran. Leading the march for Team Philippines were Paris Olympics boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas and weightlifter Ian Delos Santos as flag bearers. TMT

NCAA: Denzil Sison-Walker shines for Letran in 2-0 season opener

Sep 19, 2026

NCAA: Denzil Sison-Walker shines for Letran in 2-0 season opener

Denzil Sison-Walker is feeling right at home in the NCAA.

Bulldogs bite Warriors for rebound win in UAAP 

Sep 19, 2026

Bulldogs bite Warriors for rebound win in UAAP 

MANILA, Philippines — The National University (NU) Bulldogs bit the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors hard, 76-56, to recover from their season-opening loss in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday. Bouncing back from its opening defeat to defending champ De La Salle, NU jumped on UE with a 15-2 start capped by a Reinhard Jumamoy trey at the 4:44 mark of the first quarter. Leading by as many as 23 points, 39-16, in the second frame, the Bulldogs repeatedly denied the Warriors' comeback attempts for the rest of the way. Mo Diassana pumped 12 points and 12 rebounds for NU as Jumamoy aided him with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Olamilekan Ajani paced amassed 11 points and 10 rebounds for UE, which dropped to 0-2 this season and suffered its 21st straight loss dating back to Season 87.

LOOK: NU def. UE (76-56)

Sep 19, 2026

LOOK: NU def. UE (76-56)

UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament NU def. UE, 76-56 Kenshin Padrones Player of the Game #UAAPSeason89

Sibol MLBB grouped with Kazakhstan, Jordan in Asian Games bid

Sep 19, 2026

Sibol MLBB grouped with Kazakhstan, Jordan in Asian Games bid

The Philippines will seek to become the firs-evert Mobile Legends: Bang Bang gold medalist in the event"s debut at the 2026 Asian Games.

Asian Games: from teen swimmers to titans of tennis, 5 stars set to shine in Japan

Sep 19, 2026

Asian Games: from teen swimmers to titans of tennis, 5 stars set to shine in Japan

Any talk of potential success is almost done, early skirmishes are building to serious exchanges of fire and the first official day of Asian Games competition on Sunday will launch some to global stardom or merely enhance the reputation of those destined to be the best. There is little surprise in the names of several athletes who are expected to shine in Japan, with China’s swimming starlet Yu Zidi already being talked about as an Olympic champion in waiting. Others, such as Singapore’s rising...

'Para sa Bayan': PSC chairman Gregorio rallies Team Philippines for 2026 Asian Games

Sep 19, 2026

'Para sa Bayan': PSC chairman Gregorio rallies Team Philippines for 2026 Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — As the 2026 Asian Games officially open today in Nagoya, Japan, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio called on the nation to unite behind the Filipino athletes representing the country. In a message to the national delegation, Gregorio reminded the athletes of the immense hard work and sacrifices that brought them to the prestigious regional meet, urging them to stay focused on their mission. "Focus your mind and remember your purpose—para sa sarili, para sa pamilya, para sa bayan. Sa bawat laban, ipakita ninyo ang puso ng atletang Pilipino," Gregorio urged. With over 11,000 athletes competing across various disciplines, Team Philippines enters the Games ready to showcase grit, talent, and patriotism on the Asian stage. Gregorio assured the team that the entire nation is cheering them on as they strive for glory. TMT

No heartbreak this time as PH soft tennis team ends Asian Games medal drought

Sep 19, 2026

No heartbreak this time as PH soft tennis team ends Asian Games medal drought

Bien Zoleta has seen the lows of Philippine soft tennis, and for the first time at the Asian Games, she is experiencing the highs.

Wong targets first possible podium finish in Asian Games 

Sep 19, 2026

Wong targets first possible podium finish in Asian Games 

MANILA, Philippines —Agatha Chrystenzen Wong steps onto the carpet on Sunday carrying both the weight of expectation and the quiet confidence of a seasoned champion. As the nation’s top bet in wushu at the 20th Asian Games, the six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is determined to deliver a medal for Team Philippines in the women’s taijiquan and taijijian events at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall. The path, however, is steep in these games where Team Philippines’ participation is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission. Standing in her way is defending Asian Games champion Tong Xin of China, the sport’s gold standard in the discipline. Wong must also contend with Basma Lachkar of Brunei, the Hangzhou Asian silver medalist, and Japan’s Shiho Saito, who will be buoyed by the home crowd. “My goal is simple. I just want to stand on that podium again,” said Wong. “I’ve worked for years to refine every movement, every transition. This is the moment I’ve been preparing for.” The field is further stacked with elite contenders from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, and Pakistan, hands down Asia’s finest Taolu specialists. Yet Wong arrives in Nagoya with a resume that proves she belongs in this company. The 28-year-old medicine student from UERM won a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, a performance that followed her third-place finish at the 2016 World Cup in Fuzhou. She has since built a formidable international record after pocketing a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, and a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships in Brasilia, Brazil. “There were days I felt overwhelmed, juggling classes and training,” said Wong. “But those difficult days also reminded me why I love this sport. They pushed me to stay focused and fight for this chance.” Wong’s performance will come after fellow Filipinos Sandrex Gainsan and Mark Anthony Polo compete in the men’s changquan final, both also aiming to secure medals for the country. Later in the afternoon, Jenifer Kilapio battles Indonesia’s Tharisa Dea Florentina in the women’s sanda 52kg quarterfinals. TMT

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