Curtain Falls in Nagoya Tonight: Chef de Mission Sumali Praises Malaysia's Fighting Spirit but Warns Against Complacency

The 20th Asian Games come to an end today, Sunday 4 October, with the closing ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, the same venue that hosted the opening ceremony on 19 September. The ceremony starts at 6pm Japan time, which is 5pm in Malaysia.

For Malaysia, the night caps one of the country's best Asian Games: nine golds, seven silvers and 16 bronzes, equalling the national gold record set at Guangzhou 2010.

Sumali's assessment

Chef de mission Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said the contingent had met its objectives and produced pleasant surprises in several sports, naming padel, esports and karate in particular.

"Athletes demonstrated high fighting spirit, discipline and courage to compete with Asia's best," he said, in comments reported by Utusan Malaysia.

He linked the results to planning and preparation. "When preparations are done well, supported by structured training programmes and cooperation from all parties, Malaysian athletes can compete at the highest level," Sumali said.

He was also clear that the results should not breed complacency, saying significant improvements were still needed before bigger competitions.

From target to result

Sumali had set the target before the Games: six golds, seven silvers and 20 bronzes, a total of 33 medals, for a contingent of 352 athletes and 185 officials competing in 30 sports and 156 events. Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari called the six-gold goal realistic and achievable before the Games.

In the end, Malaysia beat the gold target by three, met the silver target exactly and finished one medal short of the overall goal.

The last Malaysian in action

The final Malaysian competitor of the Games was equestrian rider Shoorendran Nageswaran, who was scheduled to ride in the jumping competition at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo at 8.30am Malaysian time today, before the contingent gathers for the closing ceremony.

What happens at the ceremony

Athletes from all nations will enter together rather than in separate national groups, with flags carried by selected representatives. After speeches from the organisers and the Olympic Council of Asia, the Games flame will be put out and the Asian Games flag will be handed over to Doha, host of the 2030 edition. Japan will present cultural performances to mark the end of its first Asian Games since Hiroshima 1994.

Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min, who won bronze in the women's nanquan and nandao, carried the Jalur Gemilang at the opening ceremony. At the time of writing, reports we reviewed had not confirmed Malaysia's closing ceremony flagbearer.

Highlights of the fortnight

• Debutant Adeola Fay Robert won Malaysia's first gold, in karate.
• Taj Izrin Aiman won the country's first Asian Games esports gold.
• The sepak takraw team regu ended a 36-year wait for gold.
• Squash won four golds, including a first-ever double in the team events.
• Azizulhasni Awang won keirin gold at 38 in his final Asian Games.

Key takeaways

• The closing ceremony is today at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, 6pm Japan time (5pm Malaysia).
• Malaysia finish with 9 gold, 7 silver and 16 bronze medals.
• Chef de mission Sumali praised the athletes' spirit but warned against complacency.
• Equestrian rider Shoorendran Nageswaran was Malaysia's final competitor.
• The Games flag passes to Doha for the 2030 Asian Games.

FAQ

What time is the Asian Games closing ceremony in Malaysia? 5pm Malaysian time (6pm in Japan) on Sunday 4 October.

Who hosts the next Asian Games? Doha, Qatar, in 2030.

Who was Malaysia's flagbearer at the opening ceremony? Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min.

Sources: Utusan Malaysia, RTM, Malay Mail, Bernama, Khel Now