Kuwait’s Al-Youha bows out of Asian Games; young Japanese esports star wins gold

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Kuwait secured a gold medal in team kata and a bronze in individual kata at the 2026 Asian Games, while some of their athletes faced early eliminations in athletics and fencing. The Games also highlighted remarkable young talent, including 11-year-old Japanese esports gold medalist Yuki Kurihara, who is the youngest champion in Asian Games history.

Kuwait's athletics campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, saw a setback as Yaqoub Al-Youha failed to advance to the final in the 110-meter hurdles. Al-Youha posted a time of 13.88 seconds but did not qualify for the final round. Meanwhile, fellow Kuwaiti athlete Ibrahim Al-Dhafiri was set to compete in the 800-meter heats with hopes of reaching the final and contending for a medal.

In team events, Kuwait's team sabre squad was eliminated in the round of 16 following a 45-35 defeat to host nation Japan. On the shooting range, Kuwait’s Talal Al-Rashidi, Abdulrahman Al-Feihan, and Khaled Al-Mudhaf commenced their individual and team trap competitions, aiming to challenge for podium positions.

The Kuwait karate delegation concluded its participation and returned home to a welcoming reception led by Bashar Abdullah Al-Salem, Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, alongside Kuwait Karate Federation President Ahmed Mohammed bin Yousuf and Secretary-General Abdulaziz Sultan Al-Thaidi. The national karate team earned success in the team kata event, securing the gold medal through the efforts of Sayed Mohammed Al-Mousawi, Sayed Salman Al-Mousawi, and Mohammed Ahmed Badr. Individually, Sayed Mohammed Al-Mousawi added a bronze medal in kata to Kuwait’s tally.

Amid the traditional sports competitions, a remarkably young athlete drew widespread attention in the esports arena. Eleven-year-old Japanese elementary school student Yuki Kurihara won the gold medal in the Puyo Puyo Champions puzzle game, defeating South Korean final contender Kang Dongshin by a score of 10-2. Kurihara had previously beaten Thailand’s Tanarak Wongkitikun 10-1 in the semifinals. Kang acknowledged Kurihara’s advanced skill and precision, noting the young player’s technical prowess was clearly superior.

Kurihara is believed to be the youngest gold medalist in the history of the Asian Games, which originated in 1951. Despite his age, Japanese media reported that Kurihara trains approximately eight hours a day while maintaining his academic performance. Esports, introduced at the Asian Games three years ago in Hangzhou, China, continues to gain popularity, particularly in Japan, where it has become an audience favorite.

Youth participation was prominent across multiple disciplines at these Games. Hong Kong’s 12-year-old Kamus Wong competed in skateboarding, while China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi captured three gold medals. Japan’s 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke, highlighting the emergence of young athletic talent throughout the event.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.