Home · Sports · Sep 26 archive
11-Year-Old Kurihara Wins Gold at Asian Games
Confirmed
In Short: Primary school student Yuki Kurihara became Japan's youngest ever Asian Games medallist, winning gold in Puyo Puyo.
Primary school student Yuki Kurihara, 11, won gold in the Puyo Puyo Champions final at the Asian Games on Saturday, defeating opponents up to three times his age.
Kurihara, who started playing Puyo Puyo in his first year of primary school, said he was 'embarrassed' after his victory.
The bespectacled competitor, believed to be the youngest at the games in Aichi-Nagoya, won the final 10-2, showing remarkable skill and accuracy.
Standing on the podium, Kurihara bowed slightly and gave a small wave to the arena as he received his gold medal.
Kurihara's technical ability and accuracy were praised by his opponent, Kang Dongshin of South Korea, who lost to him 10-2 in the final.
Puyo Puyo, created in Hiroshima in 1991, was one of 11 medal events this year, with esports making its third appearance at the Asian Games.
The Asian Games, held from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya and the wider Aichi area, saw Kurihara become Japan's youngest ever medallist.
Kurihara said, “It’s hard having to balance it with school and cram school, but it’s really fun.”
What this adds
Kurihara's gold medal is the youngest in the history of the Asian Games, which date back to 1951 in New Delhi, India.
Other young competitors include 12-year-old Kamus Wong of Hong Kong in skateboarding and 13-year-old Yu Zidi of China, who won three gold medals in swimming.
Background
India's women's cricket team retained the gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final held at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Tuesday.
What's confirmed
- “I’m really happy. The gold medal is really beautiful, shiny and heavy,” he said.
- “It’s hard having to balance it with school and cram school, but it’s really fun,” he said ahead of the games.
What's still developing
- Looking unruffled throughout, Kurihara waltzed into the gold medal match with a string of dazzling displays.
- Kurihara said he felt "embarrassed" as he beat 28-year-old Thai Tanarak Wongkitkun 10-1 to reach the final, before breezing past South Korea's 24-year-old Kang Dongshin.
- Kurihara says he eats eel to prepare for contests, and secured his place on the Japan team at just 10 years old.
- Yu, 13, completes hat-trick of golds at Asian Games The computer hacker who tried to take down Man City Clubs seek legal advice over Man City charges compensation Relegation?
- Kamus Wong is a 12-year-old competing for Hong Kong in skateboarding, and 13-year-old Yu Zidi of China won three gold medals in swimming.