Swimming Prodigy Yu Zidi Leads Star-Studded China Team at Asian Games
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
China has unveiled a formidable 815-athlete delegation for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, headlined by 13-year-old swimming prodigy Yu Zidi and a star-studded roster of 36 Olympic champions. The squad, which includes 404 women and 411 men competing across 38 sports, represents a blend of experience and youthful talent with an average age of 24. The Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, will see China aiming to maintain its dominance atop the Asian medals table.
Key Points
- Yu Zidi, who became the youngest medallist in swimming world championships history at age 12 last year, leads a youthful Chinese contingent
- The team comprises 36 Olympic champions including divers Wang Zongyuan and Chen Yuxi, and table tennis stars Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu
- The 2026 Asian Games run from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring 43 sports and athletes from 45 countries and regions
- China topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982, winning a record 201 golds on home soil in Hangzhou in 2023
- Zheng Qinwen, the 2024 Paris Games women's singles tennis champion, will not be part of the delegation
- The total delegation includes 1,274 members, with staff from 69 countries and regions such as Australia, Spain, France, and the Netherlands
Why It Matters
The Asian Games serve as the premier multi-sport event in the continent, and China's powerhouse squad underscores the nation's continued sporting ambitions ahead of broader international competitions. For Hong Kong athletes competing alongside regional rivals, the Games offer invaluable high-level competition experience against Olympic-calibre opponents in a multi-sport setting .
The Asian Games serve as the premier multi-sport event in the continent, and China's powerhouse squad underscores the nation's continued sporting ambitions ahead of broader international competitions. For Hong Kong athletes competing alongside regional rivals, the Games offer invaluable high-level competition experience against Olympic-calibre opponents in a multi-sport setting .