China once again dominated the medal standings at the 2026 Asian Games, finishing with a record-breaking haul of 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals—totaling 341. The Games concluded on Sunday in Nagoya, Japan, with China maintaining a substantial lead over its nearest competitor, Japan, which secured less than half the number of gold medals and finished 72 medals behind overall. Despite the overwhelming success, Chinese officials expressed a measure of concern over certain underperformances.
Gao Zhidan, the Chinese Olympic Committee president and chef de mission for the delegation, highlighted shortcomings in events where China has historically excelled, including table tennis, badminton, and weightlifting. Notably, China lost the men's team table tennis final for the first time in 36 years, falling to the host nation. Gao pointed to weaknesses in athlete depth, competition management, and form adjustment. Wang Chuqin, a leading table tennis player, remarked on the mental fatigue experienced during the competition and the challenge of finding enjoyment in the sport, suggesting potential areas for reflection and improvement.
In badminton, China's gold medals were limited to the women's team and mixed doubles categories. Chinese athletes did not reach the finals in men’s or women’s singles, an outcome Gao described as a wake-up call for the program. Despite this, the overall delegation, which included 815 athletes, featured 548 first-time Asian Games competitors, signaling a strategic focus on nurturing emerging talent. Teenage sprinter Chen Yujie was among the newcomers who drew attention for their potential, particularly in athletics—an area where China has sought breakthrough performances on the global stage.
In track and field, China secured 17 gold medals, outpacing other teams at the Games. Standout performances included 18-year-old javelin thrower Yan Ziyi, who set a Games record with a 70.46-meter throw on her first attempt, and 19-year-old hammer thrower Zhang Jiale, who established Asian and Games records with a 78.27-meter throw. These marks notably surpass recent global championship winning distances and are seen as indicators of China’s rising prominence in these events ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chinese athletes also delivered strong swimming results, continuing their tradition of excellence. Fourteen-year-old Yu Zidi captured three gold medals in the 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, and 400m individual medley. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo made history as the first swimmer to claim seven gold medals at a single Asian Games edition.
Beyond traditional strengths, China secured gold medals in newer sports such as climbing’s individual speed event, BMX freestyle, and esports. Yang Siqi won a silver medal in women’s shortboard surfing, the country’s first in that sport.
Reflecting on the outcomes, Gao characterized the Games as a “midterm exam” for the upcoming Olympic cycle, with mixed results across the team’s performance. Zhang Xin, secretary general of the Chinese delegation, emphasized a renewed focus on addressing weaknesses and accelerating preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to enhance China’s overall competitive standing on the world stage.