At the end of the 2026 Asian Games hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Qatar achieved 14th place in the final standings by winning 18 medals, including six gold, six silver, and six bronze. This sporting event concluded on Sunday after more than two weeks of intense competition, and Qatar officially received the flag of the Asian Games from Aichi-Nagoya, marking the start of its journey to host the 21st Asian Games in Doha in 2030.
Qatar's Sports Achievements at the 2026 Asian Games
The 243-member Qatari team participated in 26 sports and 32 sub-disciplines in Japan. At the closing ceremony held at the Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, high-ranking Qatari and Japanese officials were present for the handover of hosting this sporting event.
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Asian Diamond Council and Chairman of the Qatar Diamond Committee, praised the athletes and organizers of the 2026 Asian Games in his closing speech, stating that these games have created a legacy that goes beyond sports and Japan, reaching every corner of the Asian continent. He also mentioned the breaking of over 350 records, including more than 50 world records.
Flag Handover to Doha and Message of Unity
During the handover ceremony, three symbolic items including the torch, the old OCA flag, and the new OCA flag were presented to the Japanese representatives. The torch was handed to Sheikh Joaan, then to Sheikh Mohammed, and finally to the Secretary-General of the Qatar Diamond Committee, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, and ultimately passed to Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar's high jump champion.
Barshim proudly stated at the ceremony that carrying the Asian Games flag is a great honor, and Doha 2030 will be an opportunity for a new generation of athletes to compete and inspire. Following this, a horse rider and horse appeared as another symbol of the ceremony, and Jassim Al Kuwari received the flag from Barshim.
During the ceremony, the national flag of Qatar was also raised, and Qatari singer and composer Dana Al Meer performed the national anthem live.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, described the handover as more than a ceremonial moment, stating: "This represents the trust between hosts and is a reminder of the power of sports in connecting nations, cultures, and communities." He also emphasized that Doha 2030 will be built on the legacy of Doha 2006 and will pay attention to a new generation of athletes and fans across Asia.
