China extends unbeaten run to 52 years as Asian Games hosts apologise for delays
Chinese divers were unstoppable as the country's sizeable overall tally of gold medals swelled to 150.
Source: Al Jazeera · September 30, 2026 at 3:31 PM · AI-assisted report
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PARIS, 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
China Extends 52-Year Asian Games Diving Dominance as Japan’s Organisers Apologise for Mismanagement
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China’s divers cemented their 52-year unbeaten streak at the Asian Games, securing their 14th consecutive clean sweep in the sport as the country’s gold medal tally surged to 150 with four days remaining in the competition. Meanwhile, host Japan’s organisers issued a rare apology for widespread logistical failures, including bed shortages and transport issues, that have overshadowed the continent’s premier multi-sport event.
The dominance of Chinese athletes underscores the country’s relentless sporting prowess, particularly in diving, where no other nation has won a single gold medal since their first Asian Games appearance in 1974.
The apology from Nagoya’s mayor, Ichiro Hirosawa, marks a formal acknowledgment of the organisers’ struggles to accommodate over 17,000 athletes and officials—a figure exceeding even the scale of the Olympics—without the traditional athletes’ village, forcing participants into temporary wooden units, cruise ships, and hotels to cut costs.
China’s medal haul now stands at 150 golds, far outpacing Japan’s 50 and South Korea’s 24, with divers Chen Yiwen and Lian Junjie delivering the final two golds of the event. Chen, a double Paris Olympics champion, highlighted the gender parity in Chinese diving, stating, “Girls are every bit as capable as boys.
We are pushing ourselves to perform more difficult dives, too,” before adding, “We do not train any less than the boys.” Her remarks reflect a broader narrative of China’s systematic investment in elite sports, where diving has become a cornerstone of its medal-winning strategy.
Beyond diving, the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala advanced to the women’s tennis semifinals, where victory would secure her a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The world No. 18 defeated Taiwan’s Joanna Garland, an England-born player, 7-5, 6-0 in a hard-fought match.
Eala, who has represented the Philippines in regional and international competitions, expressed deep emotional ties to the games, saying, “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.” Her next opponent is China’s Wang Xiyu, ranked 85th globally, in what promises to be a David-and-Goliath clash.
In boxing, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, the Olympic champion embroiled in a gender controversy at Paris 2024, secured at least a silver medal after defeating Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova 5-0 in the women’s 60kg final. The 30-year-old, who suffered a nose cut in the quarterfinals, thanked the medical team for their treatment and remains on course for a second Asian Games gold.
Her performance adds another layer to the ongoing debate over gender eligibility in women’s boxing, following her disqualification from Paris 2024 due to a disputed gender verification ruling.
Football saw South Korea advance to the men’s gold medal match after a dramatic 82nd-minute winner against China in the semifinals. The hosts, Japan, will face South Korea for gold following their own penalty shootout victory over Uzbekistan, which ended 1-1 after extra time. The football results reflect the competitive intensity of the tournament, where regional rivalries are as much on display as athletic prowess.
The logistical challenges at the Asian Games have drawn sharp criticism, with multiple delegations accusing organisers of mismanagement. Mayor Hirosawa’s apology, delivered on Wednesday, acknowledged “inconveniences” including bed shortages and transport failures, stating, “We must offer our apologies to the athletes and others affected by these inconveniences.
We must sincerely reflect on the mishandling that occurred.” The absence of an athletes’ village—a first for the games—has forced participants into makeshift accommodations, including temporary wooden structures and cruise ships, as organisers sought to reduce costs. The scale of the operation, with over 17,000 attendees, has strained resources, prompting comparisons to past editions where infrastructure was more robust.
As the Asian Games enter their final stretch, China’s dominance in diving and other sports continues unchecked, while Japan’s organisers face mounting pressure to resolve outstanding issues before the event concludes. The tournament’s legacy now hinges not only on athletic achievements but also on whether the logistical failures can be addressed in time to prevent long-term reputational damage to Nagoya’s hosting capabilities.