Yuki Kurihara wins historic Asian Games esports gold

Eleven-year-old Yuki Kurihara has become the youngest gold medalist in Asian Games history after winning the Puyo Puyo Champions esports event in Nagoya, Japan. Kurihara, a fifth-grade student representing Tokyo Verdy, secured a dominant 10-2 victory in the final against South Korea’s Kang Dong-shin.

Kurihara maintained a calm composure throughout the tournament, finishing with a perfect seven-win record. During the final, the young player demonstrated high-level skill, including a notable 15-chain combo. Following the victory, Kurihara expressed a desire to use prize money to buy blue gemstones, stating, “I like sparkly things.”

The win has sparked discussion regarding reward systems for young athletes. Unlike the Olympics, the Asian Games do not have a standardized prize money system, leaving decisions to individual sporting bodies. The Japan eSports Association currently does not plan to award prize money, leading to social media debate over whether the young champion should receive financial recognition or if such rewards are inappropriate for minors.