Asian Games Best Shots: Japan’s Triumphs in Women’s Gymnastics, Volleyball and Wrestling

[Part 2] While many athletes claimed the top spot on the podium in individual events, others kept their hopes alive for the next stage!

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She retired from competitive gymnastics in 2022, then made a comeback the following year. Despite being the oldest member of the team, she won the first-ever gold medal for Japan in women’s artistic gymnastics.

——Japan won 83 gold medals, smashing the previous record by a huge margin for the first time in 60 years!

[Read Part 1 here] Asian Games 2026 BEST SHOT IN NAGOYA! A Major Upset in Men’s Table Tennis Team Event Brings Long-Awaited Gold

[Gold] Aiko Sugihara (27)
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics All-Around

Aiko Sugihara (27), who won gold in the women’s artistic individual all-around; Misaki Emura (27), who took gold in the women’s individual sabre; and Yui Susaki (27), who won the women’s 50kg wrestling event, were among the many athletes who reached the top of the podium in individual events. Meanwhile, other competitors kept their hopes alive for the next stage.

[Gold] Misaki Emura (27)
Women’s Individual Sabre

She had never won an individual medal at a previous major competition and had also suffered an injury shortly before the event. Looking relieved, she said, “I really wanted to win here.”

[Gold] Yui Susaki (27)
Women’s 50kg Wrestling

Suzaki, who entered the Asian Games carrying the frustration of her bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, delivered a stunning performance, winning all her matches without conceding a single point.

Still haunted by the disappointment of winning bronze at the Paris Olympics, Susaki entered the Asian Games and delivered a stunning performance, conceding not a single point throughout the tournament.

“Haruka Kitaguchi (28), who competes in the women’s javelin, had been struggling to regain her form since returning from a right elbow injury she sustained last year, but she fought through it to win silver. Rikako Ikee (26), who competed in the 50m butterfly, an event that will officially be added to the Olympic program starting with the Los Angeles Games, managed to secure third place. She could be in contention for an Olympic medal in this event.” (Asahi Shimbun reporter Orikiyama, quoted earlier)

With the goal of reaching the top of the world in two years, the athletes have already resumed training.

[Silver] Haruka Kitaguchi (28)
Women’s Javelin

She won silver, finishing well behind China’s 18-year-old Yan Ziyi. Looking disappointed, Kitaguchi said, “I was confident I could throw farther.”

[Silver] Artistic Swimming Team

Wearing swimsuits emblazoned with sword motifs, the team delivered a perfectly synchronized performance themed around “bushido.” They narrowly lost, but gave China a serious challenge.

[Silver] Women’s Volleyball

They lost to China in straight sets in the final, but emerging stars such as Yoshino Sato (24) and Yukiko Wada (24) put on impressive performances.

[Bronze] Rikako Ikee (26)
Women’s 50m Butterfly

She ultimately won bronze by a fingertip. Competing in her third Asian Games, Ikee said with relief, “More than anything, I wanted to win a medal.”

From the October 23 & 30, 2026, combined issue of “FRIDAY”

  • PHOTO： AFLO, Kyodo News

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