NAGOYA - China’s 18-year-old sensation Yan Ziyi produced the standout performance of day eight at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, smashing the women’s javelin throw record with a stunning 70.46 metres on her very first attempt. Yan’s throw surpassed the previous Games record of 66.09m set by compatriot Liu Shiying in 2018 and earned her a commanding gold medal. Japan’s reigning Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi settled for silver with 62.70m. The remarkable effort ranks as the sixth-best throw in history. Yan is also closing in on the world record of 72.28m held by Czech legend Barbora Spotakova, having already thrown 71.74m in May, the second-best mark ever recorded. “I didn’t expect to reach that distance on my very first throw,” Yan said after her Asian Games debut ended after just one attempt.
Three Shangla miners killed in Dara Adam Khel coal mine collapse
Thailand’s Puripol Boonson also produced a record-breaking performance, completing a sprint double by winning the men’s 200m after claiming the 100m title earlier in the Games. His winning time of 19.88 seconds equalled the Asian record. “I can’t say how fast it’s going to be, but it’s going to be more records and faster,” the 20-year-old said.
China continued to dominate the overall medal standings, finishing day eight with 119 gold medals, well ahead of Japan with 37 and South Korea with 20. North Korea also enjoyed another successful day in weightlifting, taking its gold-medal tally in the sport to six from the 10 events completed so far. China maintained its unbeaten run in diving, while teenage champions emerged in street skateboarding. China’s 15-year-old Zhu Yuanling won the women’s title, while South Korea’s 17-year-old Juni Kang captured the men’s crown. Kang immediately set his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying, “I want to be No.1 in LA.” Malaysia dominated squash, with Ng Eain Yow winning the men’s singles and Sivasangari Subramaniam taking the women’s title. Both secured qualification spots for Los Angeles. South Korea defeated hosts Japan 3-1 in the baseball final. However, the Games also faced criticism over accommodation and transport arrangements. India’s decorated badminton player H.S. Prannoy, who won team bronze, described the experience as disappointing, saying it “never felt like we were playing in an Asian Games.” Organisers opted against a traditional athletes’ village, with competitors housed in hotels, temporary wooden units and a cruise ship. Reports of room shortages, airport delays and transport problems have added to concerns.
PESCO recovery drive continues on Sunday to meet FY2026-27 targets
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Shavkatov became the first medallist at the Games to return a positive doping test. The mixed martial arts bronze medallist tested positive for meldonium and has been provisionally suspended by the International Testing Agency.