Asiad 2026 Closing Ceremony: Games Officially Declared Closed In Aichi-Nagoya By OCA President Sheikh Joaan
The 90-minute closing ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was lively, after which it was officially declared closed by Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, on Sunday, October 4th. India ended their campaign by finishing in fourth position in the medal tally, earning a total of 85 medals consisting of 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze. Neeru Dhanda, the trap shooter who had won two gold medals and one silver at the event, proudly acted as the flag-bearer for the Indian team during the athletes' parade. After the event celebrating Japanese culture and the record-breaking week of competition, attention turned to what came next. The OCA flag was officially given to Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, thus completing the handover to Doha, which will host the 21st Asian Games in 2030 under the welcoming theme, "This Place Is Yours."
The cauldron ahead of the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
India’s flag bearer Neeru Dhanda and others during the closing ceremony, marking the conclusion of the 20th Asian Games, in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: PTI/Arun Sharma
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, receives the flag of the first Asian Games during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Dancers perform during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Flag bearers carry the flags of the participating nations during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
The Asian Games mascot, Honohon performs during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Drummers perform during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
Chinese athletes react during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Japanese athletes look on during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Athletes from the Japan march into the arena during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara
South Korean athletes react during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Athletes from India walk with fellow athletes as they leave the arena following the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Athletes from the Philippines march into the arena during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Singapore athletes react during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Athletes from Qatar march into the arena during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Qatar equestrian athlete Jassim Al Kuwari holds the Olympic Council of Asia flag during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Athletes from Uzbekistan march into the arena during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Dancers perform during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
President of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Hideaki Ohmura speaks during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila
Qatar equestrian athlete Jassim Al Kuwari rides with the Olympic Council of Asia flag during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko wave the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Flags of participating countries are brought into the arena during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eugene Hoshiko
President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, left, hands the games torch to Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar during the closing ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
A display board carrying a message "SEE YOU IN 2030, for the Qatar Asian Games during the closing ceremony of Asian Games, marking the conclusion of the 20th Asian Games, in Nagoya, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. | Photo: PTI/Arun Sharma Arun Sharma
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