China Sends 815 Athletes to Asian Games; Olympic Champions Sun Yingsha, Chen Yuxi Lead Delegation
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
China has unveiled its largest-ever Asian Games contingent, sending 815 athletes to compete at the 20th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which run from September 19 to October 4, 2026 . The Chinese Sports Delegation, totaling 1,274 personnel, was officially established in Beijing on Friday . Among the athletes are 36 Olympic champions, including multiple gold medalists from both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics such as Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Chen Yuxi, and Wang Zongyuan . The delegation has an average age of 24, with the youngest competitor being 12-year-old skateboarder Cao Shiqi . Several high-profile athletes including diving star Quan Hongchan will miss the Games due to injury recovery, while tennis champions Zhang Zhiren and Zheng Qinqin are absent due to scheduling conflicts .
Key Points
- The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026, featuring 38 sports and 369 events .
- China fields 815 athletes with 36 Olympic champions, including Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu from table tennis .
- Diving champions Chen Yuxi and Wang Zongyuan, gymnast Zou Jingyuan, canoeist Sun Mengya, and weightlifter Li Wenwen all won gold at both Tokyo and Paris Olympics .
- Two-time Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan is absent due to injury recovery, confirmed by Guangdong Ersha Sports Training Center .
- The average athlete age is 24 years old; the youngest is 12-year-old skateboarder Cao Shiqi, while the oldest is 41-year-old shooter Wan Antao .
Why It Matters
The Asian Games serve as a crucial benchmark for China's Olympic preparation, and the inclusion of 36 Olympic champions demonstrates the nation's commitment to maintaining its sporting dominance in the region . The Games also provide a platform for young talents like the 12-year-old Cao Shiqi to gain international competitive experience, with "post-2005" athletes comprising 27% of the squad .
The Asian Games serve as a crucial benchmark for China's Olympic preparation, and the inclusion of 36 Olympic champions demonstrates the nation's commitment to maintaining its sporting dominance in the region . The Games also provide a platform for young talents like the 12-year-old Cao Shiqi to gain international competitive experience, with "post-2005" athletes comprising 27% of the squad .