Celebrating Gymnastics Excellence: President Al-Shathri at Asian Games 19
Hangzhou, China – September 28, 2023 – In a remarkable show of support for the sport of gymnastics in Asia, President of the Asian Gymnastics Union, Abdulrahman Al-Shathri, graced the Asian Games 19 in Hangzhou, China. The event, which has already witnessed a spectacular opening, is a testament to the growing prominence of gymnastics in the region.
During his visit, President Al-Shathri had the privilege of meeting with Morinari Watanabe, the President of the International Gymnastics Federation, in a tour of the Chinese House, courtesy of the Chinese Olympic Committee. They were also joined by Zhou Jinqiang, the Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and advancing the sport of gymnastics in Asia.
The Asian Gymnastics Union, under Al-Shathri’s leadership, has made significant strides, organizing the participation of around 120 international judges in various gymnastics disciplines, including artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline.
Commenting on the 19th Asian Games, President Al-Shathri stated, “The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou have been nothing short of spectacular. This event showcases the tremendous talent and dedication of athletes from across Asia, and it’s a testament to the power of sports to bring nations together. We are committed to further promoting and enhancing gymnastics in our region to ensure its continued growth and success.”
Regarding the Asian Games 2023 in China, the event has witnessed a dazzling opening ceremony. According to the official website of the Asian Games 2023, approximately 5,054 athletes from various nations are set to compete in nearly 40 different sports across 44 venues. The flagship venue, Hangzhou Sports Park, will host the majority of the competitions.
The 19th edition of the Asian Games, commonly known as the “Asiad,” kicks off in Hangzhou, China, on the upcoming Saturday, September 23rd, and will continue until October 8th. The sporting events will be spread across five Chinese cities, including Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, and Shaoxing. The games were initially scheduled for 2022 but were postponed to September 23, 2023.
The sports competitions encompass approximately 40 categories, spanning various sports disciplines, including water sports, badminton, baseball, chess, combat sports, volleyball, cricket, swimming, boxing, and shooting, among others.
It is worth noting that China leads the historical medal tally with 3,187 medals, followed closely by Japan with 3,054 diverse medals. However, no Arab country currently ranks among the top 10 nations in terms of medal achievements in the history of their participation in the Asian Games.
