NAGOYA - Hosts Japan claimed the first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday, while China quickly established its dominance with a string of swimming triumphs, including a Games-record performance by teenage sensation Yu Zidi in the women’s 200-metre butterfly. Japan’s Takumi Hojo delivered the hosts’ opening gold in the men’s individual triathlon, overcoming a challenging start in the water before pulling away during the running leg to defeat China’s Zhang Xirui by nine seconds. Kazakhstan’s Arlan Zhanabay took bronze, a further six seconds behind.

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Hojo, who won mixed relay gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games, said the victory had provided an important boost to the Japanese contingent. “I was really fired up and was in top form right up until I stood on the starting line,” Hojo said. “As it’s our first gold medal, it’s given the Japanese team a real boost.” China responded strongly in the pool, with Yu Zidi, who turns 14 next month, producing one of the day’s standout performances. Making her Asian Games debut, Yu led from start to finish in the 200m butterfly at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, clocking 2 minutes, 5.08 seconds.

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Her time broke the previous Asian Games record of 2:05.57 set by compatriot Zhang Yufei in Hangzhou. Despite the record-breaking performance, Yu said she believed there was room for improvement. “I hope I can swim even faster,” she said, identifying aspects of her technique that she wants to refine.

China also secured gold in the men’s 100m freestyle, where Olympic champion Pan Zhanle successfully defended the title he won in Hangzhou. Pan clocked 47.61 seconds, well outside his world record of 46.40, but produced a strong late surge to edge a closely fought race. “I was a little short of what I expected. I wanted to do better and swim faster, but first of all I am happy to have won,” Pan said. Meanwhile, teqball made its Asian Games debut, with Thailand claiming three of the five gold medals on offer. South Korea’s Lee Jun-suk won the men’s singles title, describing the unexpected triumph as the result of six months of intensive preparation.

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The opening day came after a build-up marked by complaints from some athletes over accommodation and logistical arrangements. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry expressed confidence in the organisers after visiting the athletes’ accommodation in Nagoya. Some logistical problems remained, however, with South Korea reporting that its men’s basketball team missed a scheduled training session after its official shuttle failed to arrive.