Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Begins as Uzbekistan Targets an Improved Result
Sport
The 20th Asian Games have officially opened in Japan. Uzbekistan took part in the opening ceremony in Nagoya with a delegation of 396 athletes competing across 42 sports. World boxing champion Turabek Khabibullaev and Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games fencing champion Gulistan Perdebayeva served as Uzbekistan’s flag bearers.
The Games officially opened on September 19 at Mizuho Park Stadium in Nagoya. Emperor Naruhito of Japan declared the event open. Delegations from 45 countries and regions took part in the parade. The ceremony was held under the theme “Harmonic Heart Beat” and featured music, dance, elements of Japanese culture and fireworks.
More than 11,000 athletes are taking part in the Games, competing for 469 medal sets across 43 sports. The programme includes esports, teqball, mixed martial arts and virtual taekwondo. Japan is hosting the Asian Games for the third time, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
Uzbekistan has sent one of its largest-ever delegations, comprising 224 men and 172 women. Of the 42 sports in which the country will compete, 36 are part of the Olympic programme. Uzbek athletes are making their Asian Games debuts in beach volleyball, volleyball, sailing, squash and MMA.
At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, Uzbekistan won 22 gold, 18 silver and 31 bronze medals, finishing fifth in the overall standings. The national team has set a goal of improving that result in Aichi-Nagoya. In several disciplines, athletes will also compete for qualification spots for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Among Uzbekistan’s leading medal prospects are Paris 2024 Olympic champion and two-time world champion Abdumalik Khalokov, world champion Turabek Khabibullaev, Olympic champion Razzambek Jamalov, Olympic champion Akbar Djuraev and two-time Asian champion in taekwondo Jasurbek Jaysunov.
Some competitions began before the official opening ceremony. Uzbekistan’s youth football team reached the quarterfinals after defeating the Philippines 5–1 and Kuwait 2–0. The Asian Games will continue through October 4.
More than 11,000 athletes are taking part in the Games, competing for 469 medal sets across 43 sports. The programme includes esports, teqball, mixed martial arts and virtual taekwondo. Japan is hosting the Asian Games for the third time, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
Uzbekistan has sent one of its largest-ever delegations, comprising 224 men and 172 women. Of the 42 sports in which the country will compete, 36 are part of the Olympic programme. Uzbek athletes are making their Asian Games debuts in beach volleyball, volleyball, sailing, squash and MMA.
At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, Uzbekistan won 22 gold, 18 silver and 31 bronze medals, finishing fifth in the overall standings. The national team has set a goal of improving that result in Aichi-Nagoya. In several disciplines, athletes will also compete for qualification spots for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Among Uzbekistan’s leading medal prospects are Paris 2024 Olympic champion and two-time world champion Abdumalik Khalokov, world champion Turabek Khabibullaev, Olympic champion Razzambek Jamalov, Olympic champion Akbar Djuraev and two-time Asian champion in taekwondo Jasurbek Jaysunov.
Some competitions began before the official opening ceremony. Uzbekistan’s youth football team reached the quarterfinals after defeating the Philippines 5–1 and Kuwait 2–0. The Asian Games will continue through October 4.
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