Hangzhou Asian Games concluded with colorful ceremony, Sreejesh held the Indian flag

The Hangzhou Asian Games concluded on Sunday. It was a colorful and technically mesmerizing event showcasing the outstanding achievements of the players and celebrating China’s cultural heritage.

There was a festive atmosphere during the 75-minute show of lights, sound and laser at the Big Lotus Stadium, which has a capacity of about 80,000 spectators. The event bid farewell to athletes from 45 countries participating in these games after competing for more than two weeks.

The closing ceremony saw a celebration of a mix of sports and culture. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) acting chief Randhir Singh declared the 19th edition of the Asian Games closed in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other dignitaries. He said, “I declare the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games closed and in accordance with tradition call on the youth of Asia to gather in Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) in three years to celebrate the 20th Asian Games in line with the ideals of the Olympic Council.” I call for.

Randhir Singh said, “The youth of Asia should celebrate the Asian Games in the spirit of brotherhood and the betterment of humanity.” “Over the last 16 days, we have shared many unforgettable moments in this magnificent city,” he said. It’s time to say ‘She She, Hangzhou (Thank You Hangzhou)’ for a wonderful and memorable Asian Games.”

China once again dominated the standings in the biggest Asian Games so far. China’s 201 gold medals (along with 111 silver and 71 bronze) surpassed the 199 gold medal tally achieved at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Japan (52 gold, 67 silver, 69 bronze) and South Korea (42 gold, 59 silver, 89 bronze) finished second and third, while India finished fourth with a record of 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silver, 41 bronze). Stayed in place.

According to Vinod Kumar Tiwari, acting director general of OCA, thirteen world records, 26 Asian records and 97 sports records were broken during these games. The stadium saw lower attendance than the opening ceremony on 23 September but volunteers and athletes made up for the shortfall. The flag bearers of all the countries reached the field before being joined by the players and officials of the countries.

Men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was the Indian flag bearer. Around 100 Indian athletes and officials participated in the parade. Most of the Indian players have returned home after the conclusion of their competition. Organizers said 12,407 athletes from 45 countries competed in 40 sports in Hangzhou. The organization of these games was postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the closing ceremony, the torch and flag of the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, as well as the OCA flag, were handed over to the Governor of Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the host city of the 2026 session. For the cultural programme, the huge oval shaped LED floor screen giving 3D visual effect to the naked eye was not used during the opening ceremony. Instead, a ‘digital turf’ (the first turf of its kind used in the Asian Games) was used. Its middle part looked like a garden while on the sides ‘Asia’ was written in big words.

The main Games flame was lit by Olympic champion and 19th Asian Games gold medalist swimmer Wang Shun, accompanied by virtual torch bearers at the opening ceremony. He was present on the field to watch the flame being extinguished along with these virtual torch bearer volunteers and players. The purpose of the ceremony was to showcase exciting and touching moments from athletes throughout the Games. It also had to represent the millions of volunteers and citizens of Hangzhou, as well as everyone who made these Games possible. The event attempted to highlight people-to-people interactions and the spirit of ‘Sports Without Borders’.

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