The Asian Games in Japan closed Sunday after two weeks marked by record-setting young stars but marred by mishaps, mediocre crowds and accusations of mismanagement.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials, a number exceeding that of the Olympics, descended on Nagoya and Aichi prefecture for the continent's premier sporting event.
Yu Zidi, a 13-year-old Chinese swimming sensation, impressed with three gold medals, all in Games-record times. She is expected to be a major medal threat at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The young swimmer was named a Games MVP to cap an extraordinary showing that saw her win gold in the 200-meter butterfly and complete the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley double.
Despite her success, the shy teenager said: "I don't think I am what people describe as a prodigy."
Also in the pool, Shin Ohashi, a 17-year-old Japanese swimmer, set a men's 200-meter breaststroke world record to delight the home crowd.
In athletics, where rain fell over several days, 20-year-old Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson won the 100-meter and 200-meter double and was named men's MVP.
On a dry evening, a colorful closing ceremony saw Japan hand over hosting duties to Doha, Qatar, for the 2030 Games.
"Tonight we close the Games that will shape the next generation of Asian sport," said Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Top officials were on the defensive up until the last minute.
Husain al-Musallam, OCA director-general, said "numbers are facts," pointing to 50 world records at the Games after they opened Sept. 19.
"Athletes cannot perform if they do not sleep well or have adequate transportation," he said.
This 20th edition of the Games, first contested in 1951, lacked a traditional athletes' village to save money. Instead, participants were housed in wooden temporary units, on the cruise ship Costa Serena and in hotels.
Organizers said this was a template for future multi-sports events. But problems arose, with some teams complaining units were too cramped and beds too short. The ballooning number of athletes and officials resulted in a shortage of beds for everyone.
A Thai Olympic official said it was "like musical chairs" to find a place to sleep.
The sport, including a popular cricket final won by India against archrival Pakistan, sometimes shone through.
North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum, 140 centimeters (4 feet, 7 inches), set three world records in one day to win gold.
But problems persisted, including organizers playing North Korea's national anthem for the South Korean hockey team. Buses for athletes did not arrive as scheduled, or did not arrive at all.
Two teams were sent to the wrong venue, delaying a volleyball match.
Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, said, "If I were to give them a grade, it would be an F."
Games organizers also faced scrutiny over attendances, as the opening ceremony drew thousands of empty seats. Only 998 spectators attended a women's soccer semifinal between host Japan and South Korea in a 50,000-seat stadium.
Seiko Hashimoto, president of the Japanese Olympic Committee, admitted "many problems" and said the country wants to host more international events and will learn from the experience.
She said bad weather had deterred some spectators but emphasized that some sports drew large crowds.
About 30,000 saw South Korea beat Japan 1-0 to clinch men's soccer gold, although the occasion was tarnished when the South Korean flag was not raised in the victory ceremony.
The hosts finished with 83 golds, a distant second in the medal standings behind China with 169.
Japan's tally included gold for Yuki Kurihara, who won in esports at 11 years old, making him the youngest Games champion in history.
Several sports hoping to be included in the Olympics made their debut, including padel, mixed martial arts (MMA) and virtual taekwondo.
