The 9th Asian Winter Games came to a spectacular close in Harbin, with Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, first vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), officially declaring the event concluded at the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center on Friday night.
“This is truly a unique and charming part of China and the world—not only for the beauty of the city and the landscape but also for the warmth and friendliness of the local people,” Fok praised during the closing ceremony.
This year’s Games, which officially opened on February 7, brought together over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia, making it the largest in terms of participation in the event’s history.
Historic Wins
On the final day of competition, history was made as the Philippines clinched its first-ever gold medal in the Asian Winter Games. The Filipino men’s curling team defeated South Korea 5-3 in a thrilling final, marking a significant milestone for the nation.
China secured the bronze in men’s curling with a 10-3 victory over Hong Kong. In the women’s curling final, South Korea triumphed over China 7-2, while Japan took home the bronze medal.
In ice hockey, Kazakhstan and Japan successfully defended their men’s and women’s titles, respectively, showcasing their dominance in the sport.
Medal Tally
The host nation, China, topped the medal table with an impressive haul of 32 gold, 27 silver, and 26 bronze medals. This achievement ties the record for the most gold medals at a single Asian Winter Games, previously set by Kazakhstan in 2011 during the 7th Asian Winter Games in Astana-Almaty.
South Korea followed in second place with 16 gold, 15 silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Japan secured third place with 10 gold, 12 silver, and 15 bronze medals.
Looking Back and Forward
Harbin embraced the Winter Asiad for the second time, having previously hosted the third edition 29 years ago. China has now hosted the Asian Winter Games three times, with Changchun hosting the sixth edition in 2007.
The next Asian Winter Games are set to break new ground, with the 2029 edition scheduled to take place in Trojena, Saudi Arabia. This will mark the first time the event is hosted in West Asia, signaling a new chapter for winter sports in the region.
As the flames of the Winter Asiad’s torch dim in Harbin, athletes and fans alike look forward to the continued growth and excitement of winter sports across Asia.
