Confident 'kids' games' changers

Unafraid to be themselves

Seventeen-year-old sprinter Chen Yujie was not shy about speaking her mind. After winning the women's 100m in a Games-record 11.06 seconds, Chen wrapped herself in the Chinese flag and shouted toward the camera: "Dad, Mom, I've made it!"

Later, after completing her events, she summed up her first Asian Games in an even more casual way: "Finished! Time to clock off! Three golds and one silver — I'm pretty good!"

Her three golds came in the women's 100m and two relay events.

In the mixed 4x100m relay, Chen ran the anchor leg and received the baton behind the Thai team before accelerating past her rival to help China win in 40.78 seconds — the country's first Asian Games gold in the event.

Her only silver came in the women's 200m, where Singapore's defending champion Shanti Pereira won in 22.78 seconds and Chen finished in 22.93.

"The 100m gold was the best coming-of-age gift I could have given myself before turning 18, while the 200m silver was a lesson for me," she said. "People often say there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people.

"I realized I can't just stay in my own little world. I need to step outside my comfort zone and challenge stronger athletes," she said.

"I didn't do my best this time, but I still have the next Asian Games and the one after that," she said, joking that she might follow the example of Xie Zhenye and compete at four or five Asian Games.

Three years ago, Chen was a torchbearer at the Hangzhou Asian Games. In Nagoya, she was both a torchbearer and a champion.

She will soon return to high school as a senior student, catching up on classes and preparing for university. "Senior year does come with some pressure. I have to make up the classes I missed and get into a university I like," she said.

Eighteen-year-old javelin thrower Yan Ziyi opened the women's final with a 70.46m throw, setting an Asian Games record and winning her first major senior title in her first senior season.

Earlier this year, Yan threw 71.74m at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, Fujian province, setting an Asian record and a world U20 record. At the time, the mark was the second-best throw in women's javelin history.

Too young to compete at the Paris Olympics in 2024, Yan has quickly moved from the junior ranks into the seniors.

"I can start a new era because I'm young. I still have more time and more opportunities," she said.

Yan already has set herself a goal. "I want to save the chance to break the record for the World Championships in Beijing next year," she said.

This generational shift was especially visible in the Games' urban sports, where young athletes took center stage. In skateboarding, 15-year-old Zhu Yuanling won gold in the women's street event, while 16-year-old teammate Cui Chenxi took bronze. On the climbing wall, 19-year-old Chu Shouhong made history by winning China's first individual Asian Games gold in men's speed climbing.

Young athletes also made their mark in traditional disciplines that demand years of technical refinement and composure. Sixteen-year-old Du Yuchen became China's youngest Asian Games shooting champion as part of the women's 10m air rifle team that set a world record, while fellow 16-year-old gymnast Ke Qinqin helped China win the women's team title and added an individual all-around silver.