NAGOYA - South Korea’s An Se-young underlined her dominance of women’s badminton by becoming the first woman to retain the Asian Games singles title, while rain disrupted cricket and other events at Aichi-Nagoya Games on Tuesday. The Olympic and world champion produced a commanding performance, defeating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-9 in the final to claim her second consecutive Asian Games gold. The 24-year-old, who has now won eight titles in 2026, extended her unbeaten run against Yamaguchi to nine matches.

An, who has lost only once this year, said she was delighted to win in front of her family and acknowledged the inspiration provided by Chinese badminton great Lin Dan, a two-time Olympic and Asian Games champion and five-time world champion. “I am trying to keep up with this great athlete,” An said, adding that her success was built on concentration and refusing to give up. Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn captured the men’s singles gold, defeating Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew 21-12, 21-16. The victory made Kunlavut the first Thai man to win the Asian Games singles title and helped him reclaim world number-one ranking.

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South Korea’s Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na won women’s doubles gold, while Indonesia’s Daniel Marthin and Leo Rolly Carnando claimed the men’s doubles title. China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin secured mixed doubles gold.

Weather-related problems added to logistical difficulties affecting the Games, including transport errors that sent Pakistan and South Korean volleyball teams to incorrect venues. Surfing, making its Asian Games debut, produced a highlight as Japan swept the men’s and women’s gold medals.

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Kanoa Igarashi, who won Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020, earned a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, while 18-year-old Mirai Ikeda also secured her Olympic berth. In women’s football, North Korea defeated China 2-0 to reach the final, where they will face hosts Japan, who beat South Korea 2-0 in the other semi-final.