Asian Games BEST SHOTS! Women’s Gymnastics, Volleyball, Wrestling: A Collection of Joyful Images Showcasing “Japan’s Major Breakthrough”

[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 ’22 and made a comeback the following year. Although she was the oldest member of the team, she became the first woman in the history of the Japanese national gymnastics team to win a gold medal

—Winning 83 gold medals, she shattered the record by a wide margin for the first time in 60 years!

[Click here for Part 1] 2026 Asian Games: BEST SHOT IN NAGOYA! Men’s Table Tennis Team Pulls Off a Major Upset to Win the Long-Awaited Gold

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

Aiko Sugihara (27) in the women’s artistic gymnastics all-around,Misaki Emura (27) in women’s individual sabre fencing, and Yui Suzaki (27) in the women’s 50kg wrestling division—many athletes climbed to the top of the podium in individual events, while others kept their hopes alive for the next stage.

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

She had never won an individual medal in previous tournaments and had suffered an injury just before the competition. “I really, really wanted to win here,” she said, looking relieved.

[Gold] Yui Suzaki (27)
Women’s Wrestling, 50kg Class

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.

“Since returning from a right elbow injury that began last year, I hadn’t quite regained my top form,” said women’s javelin thrower Haruka Kitaguchi (28), who struggled but still managed to win a silver medal.
Rikako Ikee (26), who competed in the 50-meter butterfly—a discipline that will become an official event starting with the Los Angeles Olympics—slid into third place. “In this event, Ikee has a shot at a medal at the Olympics as well,” said Mr. Oriyama (mentioned earlier).

To stand at the pinnacle of the world in two years, the athletes have already resumed training.

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

She won the silver medal, finishing well behind China’s 18-year-old Yan Zi’yi. “I was confident I could throw farther,” she said, looking disappointed.

[Silver] Artistic Swimming Team

Wearing swimsuits featuring a sword motif, they delivered a flawless performance themed around “Bushido.” Though they narrowly lost, they posed a serious threat to China.

[Silver] Women’s Volleyball

Although they suffered a straight-set loss to China in the final, the new generation of stars—including Yoshino Sato (24) and Yukiko Wada (24)—put on a dynamic performance.

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

She narrowly missed the gold by a hair’s breadth, taking the bronze. Competing in her third Asian Games, Ikee expressed relief, saying, “I just wanted to win a medal.”

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

  • PHOTO： AFLO, Kyodo News

Photo Gallery7 total

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