China's Diving Dynasty Rolls On at Asian Games as Nagoya Officials Issue Apology

China's divers continued their decades-long domination of the Asian Games on Wednesday, securing victories in the final two events to complete yet another sweep of the sport's gold medals and push the country's overall tally to 150. The achievement extends a remarkable streak that stretches back more than half a century, to China's first appearance at the continental showcase in 1974.

Chen Yiwen and Lian Junjie each claimed gold in the closing diving finals, ensuring China finished with a clean sweep of all diving titles for the 14th consecutive time. Since entering Asian Games competition 52 years ago, Chinese divers have never been beaten in any event, a run of superiority that has become one of the most extraordinary records in international sport.

Chen, a two-time Paris Olympics champion, used the occasion to highlight the progress of women in the sport. She said female divers are every bit as capable as their male counterparts and noted that they are continually pushing themselves to attempt more difficult routines. She added that the women's team does not train any less than the men, underscoring the dedication that underpins China's sustained excellence.

The scale of China's advantage in the medals table is stark. With four days of competition remaining, the hosts Japan sit a distant second with 50 gold medals, while South Korea are third on 24. China's total of 150 golds reflects the depth of its talent across a wide range of disciplines, but it is in diving where the country's supremacy is most complete and most enduring.

The dominance has not come without scrutiny over the years, as rivals continue to search for ways to close a gap that has persisted across generations. For China, the diving pool has long served as a reliable source of medals at every major Games, and the latest results in Tokyo reaffirm the strength of a development system that identifies and nurtures talent from a young age.

Elsewhere at the Games, tennis fans turned out in force to watch the Philippines' Alexandra Eala, the world number 18 and the favourite for women's singles gold, book her place in the semifinals. Eala, who had supporters travelling from far and wide to see her compete in Nagoya, was made to work hard early in her match before overcoming Taiwan's England-born Joanna Garland 7-5, 6-0.

The tournament carries significant stakes, with the winner earning qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Speaking after her victory, Eala described representing her country at events such as the SEA Games, the Asian Games and, she hopes, the Olympics as being very close to her heart and a central part of her dreams. She will next face China's Wang Xiyu, who is ranked 85th in the world.

In boxing, Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting secured at least a silver medal by defeating Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan 5-0 in the women's 60kg class to reach the final. The Olympic champion, who was at the centre of a major gender controversy at the Paris 2024 Games, now stands one win away from a second Asian Games gold. The 30-year-old thanked her medical team for treating a cut to her nose sustained during the quarterfinals.

On the football pitch, South Korea booked their place in the men's final with a 2-1 victory over China, sealing the win with a goal in the 82nd minute. They will meet Japan in the gold-medal match after the hosts advanced past Uzbekistan 9-8 on penalties following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, setting up a keenly anticipated final between the two regional powers.

The sporting action, however, has been overshadowed by mounting complaints about the organisation of the event. On Wednesday, the mayor of Nagoya issued a public apology to athletes for what he described as inconveniences experienced during the Games, following a series of grievances from participating delegations.

Ichiro Hirosawa, who serves as mayor and as acting chairman of the local organising committee, said organisers must offer their apologies to the athletes and others affected, and that they must sincerely reflect on the mishandling that occurred. His comments came after problems including a shortage of beds and difficulties with transport were reported across the event.

The scale of the operation is considerable, with more than 17,000 athletes and officials taking part — a figure that exceeds the number involved in the Olympic Games. Several countries have accused local organisers of mismanagement, adding to the pressure on the host committee as the event moves towards its conclusion.

Organisers took a cost-saving approach this time around, departing from the tradition of a dedicated athletes' village. Instead, participants have been housed in temporary wooden units, on a cruise ship and in hotels, a decision that has been linked to some of the logistical difficulties that have arisen.

For the athletes themselves, the disruptions have added an unwelcome layer of difficulty to preparations and competition, even as the Games continue to deliver standout performances. The apology from the mayor represents an acknowledgement that the experience has fallen short of expectations for many of those who travelled to Japan to compete.

As the event enters its final days, attention will remain split between the record-breaking achievements in the pool and the efforts of organisers to address the concerns raised by teams. China's divers, meanwhile, leave Tokyo with their unbeaten legacy intact and with no sign that their long reign over the sport is nearing an end.