Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games schedules and athlete preparations announced

Schedules and preparations for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have been released for several key sporting disciplines.

In football, the Chinese men's team is placed in Group B alongside the UAE, Iran, and North Korea. The Chinese women's team will compete in Group G against the Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Hong Kong. The softball competition will feature a round-robin format involving eight teams, including China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea.

The Chinese athletics team is also preparing for the games, sending a squad of 72 athletes. The team is currently undergoing a period of generational transition. Notable athletes include javelin thrower Yan Ziyi, who recently set an Asian record, and discus thrower Feng Bin, who aims to defend her title. In sprinting, veteran Xie Zhenye will lead a younger group of athletes, including several competitors born after 2000, as they focus on relay events and maintaining Asia's competitive edge.