20th Asian Games begin today in Japan, athletes from 45 countries participating
The 20th Asian Games officially begin today in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Over 11,000 athletes from 45 countries will compete for 469 gold medals across 43 sports and 71 disciplines. Nepal has sent a 211-member delegation with 136 athletes competing in 22 sports.
Kathmandu . The 20th edition of the Asian Games officially begins today in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Running until October 4, the event is Asia's largest multi-sport competition.
This edition will feature 45 member nations and regions of the Olympic Council of Asia. More than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials—over 17,000 participants in total—are expected to take part. A total of 469 gold medals will be contested across 71 disciplines in 43 sports, with 1,407 medals to be awarded overall.
Mixed martial arts has been included in the Asian Games for the first time this edition. Padel and teqball are also making their debut. Virtual taekwondo is another new attraction this time. Esports and breaking have also been retained in the competition. Disciplines such as freestyle BMX have further diversified the event. Cricket has also been retained this edition, with T20 competitions for both men and women.
The history of the Asian Games began after World War II. The concept was advanced with the aim of rebuilding relations weakened by war among Asian countries through sports. The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India, from March 4 to 11, 1951. The first edition featured 489 athletes from 11 countries, including Japan. At that time, competition was limited to athletics, swimming, football, weightlifting, cycling, and basketball.
After the Asian Games Federation was formed in New Delhi in 1949, the foundation was laid for regularly organizing the competition. The second edition was held in Manila, the Philippines, in 1954. Since then, the Asian Games have generally been held every four years. In 1981, it was decided to rename the Asian Games Federation as the Olympic Council of Asia. Since then, this body has been organizing and managing the Asian Games.
Aichi-Nagoya will be the third edition of the Asian Games hosted by Japan. Japan previously hosted the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958 and in Hiroshima in 1994.
Nepal's Participation
Nepal will field 136 athletes—80 men and 56 women—across 22 sports. Nepal is sending a 211-member delegation to the competition. The delegation includes 29 coaches, 17 managers and technical officials, 6 medical team members, four journalists, and distinguished guests, along with Save the Mission, Deputy Save the Mission, and other officials.
Nepal has been participating since the first Asian Games held in India in 1951. Having sent a nine-member athletics team in the first edition, Nepal will compete in 21 sports this time. Kabaddi will have the highest number of athletes at 24. Cricket will have 15, volleyball 12, wushu 10, karate eight, boxing seven, and judo, athletics, table tennis, and wrestling will each have six athletes.
Nepal won its first Asian Games medal at the 10th edition held in Seoul, South Korea, in 1986. Since then, Nepal has never returned from the Asian Games empty-handed. Nepal has so far won a total of 26 medals at the Asian Games—3 silver and 23 bronze—across 10 Games. However, Nepal has yet to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.
How many athletes in which sport?
Nepal will participate in team sports in kabaddi, women's volleyball, and men's cricket, with the remaining 19 being individual sports. Among team sports, kabaddi will have the highest number of athletes at 24, comprising both men's and women's teams.
The men's cricket team has 15 players and the women's volleyball team has 12. In individual sports, wushu will have the highest number at 11 athletes, while dance sport has just 1 athlete.
Nepal will compete in both men's and women's events in archery (2), athletics (6), badminton (4), boxing (7), cycling (2), golf (4), judo (6), karate (8), soft tennis (4), squash (2), swimming (5), table tennis (6), tennis (5), and wrestling (6). Similarly, in canoe slalom (2), skateboarding (2), and taekwondo (2), only male athletes will participate.
At the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Nepal was represented by 253 athletes (126 men and 127 women) across 29 sports. At that edition, Nepal won a historic silver through karateka Erica Gurung and a bronze through the women's kabaddi team.