Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 was held in Nagoya, Japan, on 19 September. Uzbekistan is represented at the continental competition by 396 athletes competing in 42 sports.
The opening ceremony took place at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The Games were officially opened by Japanese Emperor Naruhito. The competition will run for 16 days and conclude on 4 October. (Aichi Nagoya 2026)
The theme of the ceremony was “Harmonic Heart Beat.” The Games mascot Honohon took part in the programme. A performance featuring a kabuki actor was staged against a model of Nagoya Castle, while Japanese violinist Taro Hakase presented a musical programme. Before the ceremony, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force aerobatic team Blue Impulse flew over the stadium. (Reuters)
The ceremony was attended by Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura, who heads the Games’ organizing committee.
The Asian Games flame was brought from Tokyo and Hiroshima, which hosted continental competitions in 1958 and 1994, respectively.
Uzbekistan’s delegation was led by world boxing champion Turabek Habibullaev and Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games fencing champion Gulistan Perdebaeva as flag bearers.
Uzbekistan is represented in 42 sports, 36 of which are Olympic sports and six non-Olympic sports. The delegation includes 224 men and 172 women.
For the first time at the Asian Games, Uzbekistan will compete in beach volleyball, volleyball, sailing, squash and MMA. In several disciplines, including archery, field hockey, tennis, surfing, triathlon and squash, athletes will also compete for qualification spots for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games, Uzbekistan finished fifth in the medal standings, winning 22 gold, 18 silver and 31 bronze medals. Aripov called on the athletes to improve on that result.
The 5th Asian Para Games will also be held in Japan from 18 to 24 October. Uzbekistan will be represented by 153 athletes competing in 11 sports.
