Kiani hopes YouTube lessons can lead to another medal

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Iranian wushu athlete Zahra Kiani carried her nation's flag at the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, which features competitors from 45 countries in over 40 sports. The Games are significant as they offer 2,028 Olympic qualification spots and aim to promote unity across Asia despite ongoing regional conflicts and the pandemic’s impact.

Two-time Asian Games silver medallist Zahra Kiani served as a flag-bearer for Iran during the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday. The event, which runs until October 4, features athletes from 45 countries and territories competing across more than 40 sports. Kiani, a wushu competitor, expressed her hopes of securing another medal, attributing part of her training to watching videos of Chinese athletes on YouTube to refine her skills.

The opening ceremony took place at a 30,000-seat stadium in Nagoya, where organizers sought to convey a message of unity amid ongoing political tensions in Asia. Despite the grandeur of the show, the event faced notably sparse attendance. The main stage was designed in the shape of a giant heart, symbolizing solidarity and togetherness. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Japan’s Emperor and Empress, as well as International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry.

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), emphasized the importance of the Games at this particular moment, highlighting the event’s role in demonstrating Asian unity against regional conflicts, including those in the Middle East. “The opening ceremony message is to show and demonstrate the unity of Asia against the conflicts around Asia (and) the political conflicts of the Middle East,” he said ahead of the proceedings.

The Games in Nagoya and the nearby Aichi prefecture are notably significant as they offer 2,028 qualification spots for the 2028 Olympic Games in seven different sports. The competition is expected to showcase top-tier athletes as well as emerging talents from across the continent.

Among the spectators’ enthusiastic responses, China’s athletes received some of the loudest cheers during their entrance. China, having dominated in the previous edition in Hangzhou in 2023 with 201 gold medals and a total of 383 medals, is anticipated once again to lead the medal tally in Nagoya. The Games proceed against the backdrop of lingering challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional political dynamics, underscoring the event’s role as both a sporting competition and a platform for promoting peaceful relations in Asia.

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