At 11 years old, Yuki Kurihara has become the youngest athlete to represent Japan at the 2026 Asian Games, currently taking place in Nagoya. Unlike most competitors who participate in traditional physical sports, Kurihara will compete in the esports event, specifically in Puyo Puyo, a widely recognized falling-block puzzle game developed by Sega.
Kurihara, who secured his spot on Team Japan at just 10 years old, is competing under the gamer tag "Yuuki." His selection marks a significant moment for Puyo Puyo, which is among the 13 esports titles included in the Asian Games lineup. Esports made its official medal debut at the previous Games in Hangzhou, China, and this year Japan is fielding a squad of 25 players across various disciplines.
The young competitor's ascent in the Puyo Puyo scene has been rapid. After receiving the game as a Christmas gift in kindergarten, Kurihara dedicated himself to mastering its complexities through extensive study of online streams and practice. Within three years, he rose to become Japan’s top-ranked player, a trajectory described as unprecedented by pro player Tom (tom_nadja), a leading figure in the Japanese Puyo Puyo community. Tom noted Kurihara’s distinctive and innovative playstyle as a source of fresh energy for the game’s competitive scene.
Kurihara’s disciplined training routine includes practice sessions at the National Training Center, yet outside of esports, his lifestyle resembles that of many other Japanese fifth-graders. He attends cram school, enjoys outdoor play such as soccer, and limits his gaming time to no more than an hour daily. Support from his mother, who views his gaming as both a social outlet and a form of mental engagement, has been crucial to his development.
His accomplishments so far include sweeping the Under-18 and Mind Game Player of the Year awards at the Japan eSports Awards earlier this year, and winning SEGA’s Puyo Puyo Grand Prix Final in February, an achievement that led to his professional debut two months later.
Puyo Puyo, a game originating in Hiroshima over 35 years ago, challenges players to build chains of colored blobs that trigger cascading attacks against opponents. Success in the game demands quick reflexes, spatial awareness, and the ability to anticipate and counter opposing strategies in real-time. The international competitive scene includes top players from regions such as Australia, Brazil, Taiwan, France, and the United States, highlighting the game’s growing global stature.
Kurihara acknowledged some anxiety about facing foreign players, whose more aggressive tactics may disrupt his typical play pattern, particularly in maintaining the large chain combos — known as dairensa — that are his hallmark. Tom emphasized this as a key challenge for the young player, noting the contrasting styles between Japanese and overseas competitors.
Kurihara’s group stage matches begin Thursday at the Aichi Sky Expo, with knockout rounds and finals scheduled for Saturday. Despite the pressures of international competition, Kurihara remains focused on showcasing his skills and hopes to secure a gold medal for Japan, sharing his passion for Puyo Puyo on this prominent stage.