Published On 25 Sep 2026
Towering teenager Zhang Zhanshuo made history by becoming the first swimmer to win seven gold medals at a single Asian Games, while Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson powered to victory in the 100m.
The 19‑year‑old Chinese swimmer claimed the men’s 400 m freestyle title in Tokyo on Friday, setting a Games record with a time of 3 minutes 41.28 seconds.
After the race, he sat on the lane divider and methodically counted his seven gold medals on his fingers.
Zhang also secured individual golds in the 200 m, 800 m and 1,500 m freestyle events, plus three relay victories.
He said that after a scintillating campaign, the week had been perfect.
“I believe the most important thing is to stay grounded and focused, because the Asian Games are not my ultimate goal,” Zhang, who is 198 cm tall (six feet, six inches), added.
With the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, China captured 30 of the 42 pool gold medals this week.
Their 13‑year‑old phenom Yu Zidi emerged as the undeniable superstar, winning three individual gold medals, each in a Games‑record time.
Japan’s 17‑year‑old Shin Ohashi surpassed the men’s 200 m breaststroke world record on Thursday.
Swimming, equestrian and diving events are being held in Tokyo, while Nagoya and the broader Aichi prefecture serve as the primary Games host venues.
The men’s and women’s 100 m sprints — the marquee track‑and‑field events — were contested before rows of empty seats in Nagoya.
China’s Chen Yujie cruised to a comfortable women’s final victory, setting a Games record of 11.06 seconds.
The men’s title was claimed by 20‑year‑old Puripol, who surged ahead in the final quarter to win in 9.90 seconds, breaking his own Games record set earlier that evening.
It marked Thailand’s first men’s 100 m gold since Suchart Jairsuraparp won gold on home soil at the 1978 Bangkok Games.
‘Today was a miracle for me’
On the final evening of gymnastics, Carlos Yulo secured the men’s vault gold, earning his second Games title.
The double Olympic champion captured floor gold on Thursday, completing his set of major titles.
“I can’t believe it,” the Filipino athlete said.
“Throughout the Asian Games I felt stressed, yet I enjoyed today’s performance and gave my best,” he added.
“Today truly felt like a miracle,” he said.
There is little time to celebrate, as the World Championships begin next month.
South Korea edged China 85–80 in the women’s basketball semifinals and will meet hosts Japan for the gold medal.
China relied on their towering centre Zhang Ziyu, 19, but it proved insufficient.
Zhang Ziyu, standing 223 cm (seven feet, four inches), contributed 22 points.
“She was tough to guard,” said South Korea’s Kang Lee‑seul.
“We couldn’t defend her, but we focused on fast breaks and taking more three‑point shots.”
North Korea’s women continued their record‑setting performances on the weightlifting platform.
Oh Kwang‑ok set three world records en route to gold in the women’s 57 kg bodyweight class.
She lifted 104 kg in the snatch and 134 kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a 238 kg total—all world records—augmenting the two golds North Korea’s women claimed in the 49 kg and 53 kg categories earlier in the week.
North Korea has secured four gold medals and two silvers in the six weightlifting events contested to date.
