Home · Sports · Sep 19 archive
Asian Games 2026: Top Athletes and Storylines to Watch
Confirmed
In Short: Several top athletes, including javelin thrower Pathirage and swimmer Eala, are set to make their mark at the Asian Games in Japan.
The Asian Games 2026, set to kick off in Nagoya and surrounding areas on September 19 and run until October 4, will see a host of top athletes competing for continental glory.
Among the standout athletes is Pathirage, the javelin phenom who has been collecting gold medals like Pokemon cards this year. He is eyeing the Asian record of 92.97m set by Arshad Nadeem at the Paris 2024 Olympics, poised to break it after becoming the only thrower this season to breach 92m twice.
Swimmer Eala, now 13, is looking to dominate at her first Asian Games, entering in the 200m Individual Medley, 400m IM, and 200m butterfly events, alongside relays. She told local media she was “excited” for her debut.
Other notable athletes include tennis player Eala, who will compete at the Singapore Open just before the games and is the favorite for gold in women’s singles. A gold medal at the Asian Games serves as automatic qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa revealed that around 400 athletes and staff who have already arrived in the city were briefly evacuated to higher ground due to record flooding, which hit the region just 10 days before the continental competition.
News agency AP reported that there were also instances of leaking roofs, but Hirosawa said there was no serious damage to the dozens of Asian Games venues.
What this adds
Several top athletes, including javelin thrower Pathirage and swimmer Eala, are set to make their mark at the Asian Games in Japan.
Background
Several top athletes, including javelin thrower Pathirage and swimmer Eala, are set to make their mark at the Asian Games in Japan.
What's confirmed
- The Asian Games 2026, set to kick off in Nagoya and surrounding areas on September 19 and run until October 4, will see a host of top athletes competing for continental glory.
- Among the standout athletes is Pathirage, the javelin phenom who has been collecting gold medals like Pokemon cards this year. He is eyeing the Asian record of 92.97m set by Arshad Nadeem at the Paris 2024 Olympics, poised to break it after becoming the only thrower this season to breach 92m twice.
- Swimmer Eala, now 13, is looking to dominate at her first Asian Games, entering in the 200m Individual Medley, 400m IM, and 200m butterfly events, alongside relays. She told local media she was “excited” for her debut.
- Other notable athletes include tennis player Eala, who will compete at the Singapore Open just before the games and is the favorite for gold in women’s singles. A gold medal at the Asian Games serves as automatic qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
- Meanwhile, Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa revealed that around 400 athletes and staff who have already arrived in the city were briefly evacuated to higher ground due to record flooding, which hit the region just 10 days before the continental competition.
- News agency AP reported that there were also instances of leaking roofs, but Hirosawa said there was no serious damage to the dozens of Asian Games venues.
What's still developing
- From Olympic champions to teen sensations, several athletes are looking to make their mark at the continental event.
- Surprisingly, the 28-year-old is making her Asian Games debut and will look to add continental gold in front of the home crowd after floundering at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
- She narrowly missed a podium finish in her individual events but found redemption at the Chinese National Swimming Championships later that year with two golds, one silver, and an Asian record in the 200m Individual Medley.
- Asia’s biggest sport stars will descend on Japan this week to battle it out for continental glory as the Asian Games get under way.
- Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will see several athletes eyeing first-time podium finishes while others look to defend their crown.
- From Olympic champions to teen sensations to breakout stars, Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at some of the top athletes to watch: Tennis’s newest sweetheart will be the favourite for gold in women’s singles.
- The storylines off the field continue to overshadow the on‑field storylines.
- Two top 10 teams with College Football Playoff aspirations, two strong defenses and two quarterbacks who can win games on their own.
- Through two games, LSU’s defense has been the most impressive part of its team.
- Through two games he has 11 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
- Chris Murphy looked to promote a different perspective while speaking with the Connecticut-based network's most recognizable host last Thursday, criticizing the proposed legislation on Stephen A.
- Over the last few years, student-athletes have gotten power.