Flag-bearer PR Sreejesh leads the Indian contingent during the closing ceremony of the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, in Hangzhou, China, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (PTI)Asian Games Closing Ceremony 2023 Highlights: The 19th Asian Games came to a close on Sunday, October 8th, with a grand closing ceremony at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in China. The ceremony was a celebration of the best of Asian sport and culture, and it is sure to be a memorable event.
The closing ceremony lasted a couple of hours, and featured a variety of performances, including traditional Chinese dance, music, and acrobatics. Hockey keeper PR Sreejesh was India’s flagbearer at the parade of athletes.
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One of the highlights of the ceremony was the handover of the Asian Games flag to the next host city, . The 20th Asian Games will be held in Japan in 2027.
Highlights Below
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It was shooting and archery, coupled with the dramatic improvement in both track and field, that powered India’s sprint to a record tally of 107 medals that included 35 golds. (PHOTOS: PTI)
It was the shooters and archers who aimed their sights at the 100-plus medal target Team India had set themselves for the Hangzhou Asian Games. This, coupled with the dramatic improvement in both track and field, powered India’s sprint to a record tally of 107 medals that included 35 golds.
The previous best at 2018 Jakarta — 70 medals, 16 gold — had been well and truly relegated to a distant second.
Here are the reasons behind that sharp uptick in medals. READ MORE
The gold medallist in women's javelin throw, Annu Rani, endured sleepless nights before the Asian Games and worried that the taxpayers’ money was being wasted on her.
Annu too wasn’t among the favourites going by the distance thrown this season. Annu was fighting demons in her head.
“I haven’t had a great season and have been throwing very poor distances, as low as 54m,” she said. “So I was depressed and considered quitting the sport.”
She looked up to fellow javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who takes the field on Wednesday, for inspiration. India’s Mr. Consistent has been throwing long distances and finishing on the podium routinely since winning the Tokyo Olympics title two years ago.
For Annu, it was enough motivation in times of great despair. “If one of your own is doing well, especially in the same event as yours, it acts as motivation. But for me, the problem was whatever I did, the results weren’t coming. I felt very bad because the government was spending a lot on my training and I was not delivering,” Annu said.
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Every meal at the football field-sized hall feels like a safari in the animal kingdom.
There’s a braised snake’s head and duck’s liver; an assortment of beef and a ‘beggar’s chicken’. But nothing came close to the variety of pork being served – the poor animal’s every body part was ripped, roasted and served on a platter.
The humble potato remained the last veggie standing. Boiled, fried and baked; mashed, chopped and scooped, the potato made appearances every night for three weeks in different avatars and fought a brave, lonely battle amidst an animal onslaught.
These are the times when having a persistent family that forces you to carry every Gujju’s SOS food – thepla and khakra – really comes as a blessing, writes Mihir Vasavda.
Parul Chaudhary, fired up by the prospect of finally landing a government job, won a gold in the women's 5000m event at Hangzhou.
When she came prancing out of the bend on a nippy night, Parul had the gold medal within her sights – and the UP Police on her mind.
After running 12 gruelling laps on the 400m track and entering the final 100m stretch, the long-distance runner saw the tape, looked at the Japanese runner in front of her and, in that split-second, in that moment of heat, thought about the prospect of a government job.
Or to be specific, the position of a Deputy Superintendent of Police under the sports quota. “Hamari police he aisi hai ki gold medal lekar aayenge toh DSP bana denge (Our Police is such that if I got a gold medal, they’ll make me a DSP),” the Meerut resident, currently with the Railways, said with a laugh. “In the last 50m, I was thinking that my government would give me a nice job. DySP is good.”
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For almost a decade, Sindhu set the standard in Indian sport. A medal from her at a major event was taken for granted. In a country where most athletes are content merely with the tag of being an Olympian or simply competing at a World Championship, she showed how to win. Her five World Championships, two Olympic, five Commonwealth Games and two Asiad medals are a testimony to it.
But in India’s most successful Asian Games performance, with 85 medals and counting, there won’t be a Sindhu medal.
“After winning (for) so many (years) and losing suddenly, it feels sad,” Sindhu says. “But it’s important to just be there and fight back and come back stronger, which I believe I can do.”
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Like a bunch of horticulturists, three men bend forward, squint and pore over a damaged patch of grass.
After a minute of careful analysis, one of them looks unhappy and leads the other two to a different hole a few yards away, and the sequence repeats.
It’s the final night of track and field at the Asian Games. The Hangzhou Olympic Stadium is packed to its capacity. And under the big bright lights, in the middle of the sprawling field, three puzzled technical officials are trying to find the spot where Neeraj Chopra’s javelin landed.
Clueless, they turn to the technical officials’ desk for assistance. But there isn’t any help forthcoming. All they see from a distance, like the tens of thousands in the stands, is an agitated Chopra wildly gesticulating at the bench and the officials seated there blankly staring back.
A few days ago, in the final of the 25m women’s pistol event, there was a ‘missing shot’. On Wednesday, the javelin final turned into the tale of a missing throw.
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Both India and Iran took turns to argue with officials. Federation officials got involved. Players sat on the mat in protest. The final was suspended for an hour. The officials changed their decision at least three times.
Finally India claimed the gold.
READ HOW INDIA WRESTED BACK KABADDI GOLD FROM IRAN
Until not so long ago, India’s most decorated badminton player, a serial winner and the ultimate big-game performer couldn’t be defeated.
Now, she can’t win.
“This is the period when you go low at times. You don’t know what to do, what’s happening,” PV Sindhu says.
On Thursday, Sindhu lost again. A tame, straight-game defeat to China’s He Bingjiao in the quarterfinals brought the curtains down on her Asian Games campaign. A year ago, the manner of her surrender would have raised eyebrows.
This time, nobody batted an eyelid. Not even Sindhu.
“Initially, when I was losing, it was like ‘what’s happening?’ A lot of things go on in your head. (You think) Why is it happening (even though) I am playing so well?” she says. “Now it’s going better.”
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The jog from the tunnel to the mat was the only time Bajrang Punia was standing on his feet. The rest of the time, he lay flat on his back. Wreathing in pain. Hurt and humiliated.
You didn’t really have to look at the mat to see Bajrang struggling. His pain could be heard even from a distance. The nervous tapping of the foot against Bahrain’s Alibeg Saigidgusein Alibegov; the yelp when Iran’s Rahman Amouzadkhalili twisted his arm; the thud when he was lifted in the air and slammed on the mat; the huffing as he stormed into the changing room after his comeback ended in embarrassment.
And if one did look at the mat, everything would have been magnified. The anxiety on his face when he nervously tapped his foot against the Bahraini; the pursing of his lips after the Iranian twisted his arm; the dread on his face when he was lifted in the air and slammed on the mat; the despair when he lost and the redness in his eyes due to anger and embarrassment.
READ MIHIR VASAVDA'S PIECE
For 15 years, Jyothi Vennam did not win much. In the last six months, she’s won ‘everything everywhere all at once’.
The Oscar-winning movie’s reference isn’t merely because of the South Korean opponent she overwhelmed on a cold, wet Saturday morning.
Instead, it is also to underline the stupendous rise of the 27-year-old archer. The record-breaking open water swimmer, whose archery career has been punctuated by near-misses and heartbreaks, has achieved almost everything she could – equalling the world record, winning medals at the World Cups, World Championships and now, the Asian Games.
And having won everywhere – from Antalya to Paris – Hangzhou is her moment of crowning glory. The 27-year-old won a hat-trick of gold medals after demolishing South Korea’s So Chaewon 149-146, adding to the mixed and women’s team titles she’d already won this week.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has a new name for Chirag Shetty. “Rafael Nadal,” Satwik laughs. “He never gives up. I could see it this week.”
They joke about it now, nearly 30 minutes after winning the country’s first-ever badminton gold medal at the Asian Games. But when they were on court, Chirag feared he’d collapse if he stood still. Or at least Mathias Boe did.
Between almost every point during the final, the Danish doubles coach of the Indian pair kept reminding and urging Chirag to move around the court. “He was constantly asking me to keep moving and not stay still because I still am not physically 100 per cent,” Chirag says.
But at least he was fit enough to take the court. Chirag and Satwik won India’s first-ever badminton gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating the South Korean duo of Choi Solgyu and Kim Won Ho 21-18, 21-16.
The historic triumph very nearly did not happen.
Not a lot happens in the clear skies hanging over Hangzhou. Or even on the streets, for that matter.
Day 1 in Hangzhou, a city home to 12 million people in a country where 1.4 billion live. But on the eve of the Games, the city resembles a ghost town.
It’s a beautiful city, make no mistake, like every other place anywhere in the world with a water body. Hangzhou has the calm waters of the Qiantangjiang River flowing through the centre, the West Lake where thousands flock daily to take a boat ride and sip the famous Dragon Well tea, and the breathtaking Grand Canal that’s of high cultural significance.
READ MIHIR VASAVDA'S MUSINGS FROM THE ASIAN GAMES
Indian men's hockey team coach Craig Fulton recently convinced mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton to join his set-up.
Fulton had tried to get Upton on board twice before – when he was the coach of Ireland and an assistant with Belgium.
But Upton, who was attached with MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup-winning side, was baited by the prospect of working with India’s hockey team and he hopped on. Upton has been a towering presence in the dugout. Not saying much but only watching.
Then, in the individual sessions, all the notes he made in a small diary came up for discussion. In their final push for the Asian Games, when the team assembled in Bengaluru in late August, Upton’s inputs were as crucial as Fulton’s. One understanding players’ psyche. The other, adding a layer to the playing style.
The India men's hockey team won an Asian Games gold and booked a Paris Olympics berth with a 5-1 thrashing of Japan.
A 5-1 humbling of 2018 champions Japan ensured India’s return to the top of the Asian Games podium after nine years. But if Incheon 2014 was India’s first big step towards resurgence, Hangzhou 2022 – or 2023 – is a statement performance.
India played seven, won seven, scored 68 goals and conceded nine. They hammered Pakistan 10-2, were pushed to the limit by South Korea but still emerged victorious by a comprehensive 5-2 margin and gave Japan no hope of winning two times they played.
This is a golden coronation that comes with more expectations and heightened ambitions. The kind of show that will give rise to the hope that the colour of the medal India won in Tokyo will be upgraded in Paris, given that the gold medal also sealed the Olympic spot.
READ MORE
Following the extinguishing of the cauldron, the digital torchbearer leaves the ‘Big Lotus’ while gazing back at the past wonderful memories. As the digital torchbearer steps out, they will transform once again to starlight, filling up the night sky to spread all over Asia. The digital torchbearer will return the love and dreams of over one hundred million participants in this never-ending cycle of give and take.
The Torch of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou is officially named “Eternal Flame”. Though the Cauldron has been extinguished, the flame of sports will still be passed on along with the spirit of Asian Games eternally.
You will remember the Digital Torchbearer from the Opening Ceremony.
He's back!
The digital torchbearer embodies modern culture and technological development, as they inspire innovations in art, philosophy, and a different approach to sports. This cultural heritage will be remembered forever in the digital age of the Asian Games.
The national flag of Japan, the host country of the 20th Asian Games, is waved as the Japanese national anthem is played.
Yao Gaoyuan, Mayor of Hangzhou, is participating in the handover ceremony with Ohmura Hideaki, Governor of Aichi Prefecture and Nakata Hideo, Deputy Mayor of Nagoya City.
As per protocol, here are the things which are handed over by the hosts of the current Games to the hosts of the next edition.
• The first Asian Games Torch
• The first Asian Games Flag
• The Olympic Council of Asia Flag
Lowering of the OCA Flag and Playing of the OCA Hymn happening at the moment.
Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, adds: 'Time flies when meetings are pleasant and happy. The Asian Games Flame will soon be extinguished but the spirit of the Asian Games will continue to burn. You will always be in our hearts now... and in the future!.'
Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, is now speaking.
He says: "We will never forget our time here together – the magnificent stadiums, the enthusiasm and generous support of the Chinese people and, of course, the amazing performances of our Asian athletes. Thanks to the 19th Asian Games, Asia & the World now knows Hangzhou! Asia and the World Loves Hangzhou! You have been the perfect host – and the OCA will never forget this."
"With unremitting efforts, we have delivered on our commitment of presenting a distinctly Chinese, uniquely Asian and spectacular Games," says Chinese Premier Li Qiang. "The Asian Olympic Family has made concerted efforts to stage a Games that fulfills the vision of 'Thrilling Games, Harmonious Asia'.
A lovely highlights video recapping the Games. Neeraj Chopra's gold moments with the relay team among the many Indian moments that featured. Also, in the end, Oksana Chusovitina (the 48-year-old legendary gymnast) makes an appearance. Considered something of a rockstar, she is.
Some incredible scenes of kinship among athletes playing out as the Asian Games come to a close!
Since the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279), it has been a Chinese tradition for the general public to pluck a flower to present it to a friend in parting. Such a flower serves as a truly representative farewell gift, and this simple ceremony is known as one of the most romantic scenes of Chinese farewell.
About 1,000 years ago, a Song dynasty verse describes Hangzhou osmanthus flowers as pleasantly fragrant in autumn and lotus flowers blooming for miles and miles.
The Closing Ceremony on 8 October coincides with Cold Dew, one of China’s 24 solar terms added to UNESCO’s World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, which represents a good season for lotus and osmanthus. The Closing Ceremony will carry forward the Chinese farewell tradition and showcase the harmony of lotus and osmanthus.
This “flower” is based on a “memory flower” symbolising how the Hangzhou Asian Games quietly bloomed. There was a visual of a little girl holding the blooming memory flower giving it away. That symbolises she giving it to “you” who participated in the Asian Games.
The flower was generated via AI, which generated 1,000 versions of memory flowers of lotus and osmanthus Through the AI drawing algorithm, two prototypes were fused into a “flower of lotus and osmanthus”.
Finally, a unique “memory flower of lotus and osmanthus” was produced through the 3D printing technology
The opening performance came from the children’s choir singing of the Beautiful Jiangnan where shimmering water nurtures all to depict the beauty and allure of Jiangnan.
And a few more members of the Indian contingent take in the evening. A chance to unwind after a memorable campaign.
Closing ceremony: Here's Sreejesh, the Indian hockey tem goalkeeper who won the 2nd Asian Games gold medal in his storied career, carrying India's flag.
Performers are now welcoming all the arriving guests holding the props of “the Tides of Qiantang”, which is derived from the imagery of water depicted in the masterpieces by the imperial court artists Ma Yuan (1140-1225) and Xia Gui (unknown) of the Southern Song dynasty respectively. In the performance, the dynamic momentum of the tidal waves will bring out infinite vitality and passion to welcome the arrival of flags and athletes.
At the beginning of the Ceremony’s cultural performance, with the help of virtual AR visual effects, the giant letters of “Asia” gush out
from the surface of the water, standing over the Qiantang River and then falling into the scene together with the surging tides of the Qianjiang River, which awakens the digital turf and activates tonight’s performance.
At the start we see a short film which used anthropomorphic narrative techniques. In the film, the city of Hangzhou is seen with overlapping images of the short film, constructing and echoing the core of the Closing Ceremony of "why Hangzhou is the most memorable" Games.
The Opening Ceremony has started with the arrival of the Premier of China and the Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia Raja Randhir Singh.
The flag of China is raised and the national anthem of China is played out as the Ceremony begins.
A 5-1 humbling of 2018 champions Japan ensured India’s return to the top of the Asian Games podium after nine years. But if Incheon 2014 was India’s first big step towards resurgence, Hangzhou 2022 – or 2023 – is a statement performance.
India played seven, won seven, scored 68 goals and conceded nine. They hammered Pakistan 10-2, were pushed to the limit by South Korea but still emerged victorious by a comprehensive 5-2 margin and gave Japan no hope of winning two times they played.
READ MORE
For India, Indian hockey player Sreejesh will be the flagbearer.
Hello and welcome to our liveblog of the Closing Ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games.