Asian Games 2023, Opening ceremony HIGHLIGHTS: China’s President Xi Jinping declares Hangzhou 2022 Asiad open

The 15-day extravaganza will start from September 24 till October 8 as India will aim to best its medal tally this Asiad.

The Hangzhou 2022 Torch has been lit after a long wait....

Wang Shun, Tokyo Olympic winner will finally help lighting the torch digitally.

London Olympic medallist swimmer Yi Shiwen and famed Table Tennis World No 1 Fan Zhendong are seen with the torch.

Artificial Intelligence driven and digital performance enthral the audience

Lanterns were being set free at the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony!

The Chinese artists perform what looks like an ode to integrate the ancient Chinese traditions with the modern advancement through Artificial Intelligence.

The OCA flag is being taken to flag post for hoisting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declares Asian Games 2023 officially open!

On behalf of OCA, I would like to say how proud and happy we are. Heart to heart @ future, this is not only the slogan for Asian Games but also the future of Asia. To the spectators and people of Hangzhou, Xie Xie for your hospitality and warm welcome.

The flag bearers come together to the center of the stadium!

887-strong Chinese contingent enters the stadium as the crowd roars like no other.

The instrumental of the song ‘Our Asia’ is being played as the country’s are being called one by one.

Mascots and volunteers welcome the athletes as the walk waving the country’s flag.

Several Asian countries make their way out, but the audience at the stadium are eagerly awaiting the hosts.

Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and women’s boxing 75kg category Olymypic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain were seen marching out in Khaki colour Sari(women) and Kurta (men).

Several countries keep marching while waving their national flags!

One, sent from Afghanistan where women are now banned by the Taliban from participating in sports, consists of about 130 all-male athletes. They will participate in 17 different sports, including volleyball, judo and wrestling, Atel Mashwani, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for Afghanistan’s Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press.

Another, competing under the black, red and green flag of the elected government the Taliban toppled in 2021, is drawn from the diaspora of Afghan athletes around the world, and includes 17 women, according to Hafizullah Wali Rahimi, the president of Afghanistan’s National Olympic Committee from before the Taliban took over.

-AP

The 19th edition of the Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou between September 23 and October 8, will have not one, but three mascots.

These three mascots, all robots, have been collectively named ‘Memories of Jiangnan’. The name is a throwback to a poem by Bai Juyi, a recognised poet of the Tang dynasty.

The robots; Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian, represent the host city’s vibrant culture and heritage. These futuristic yet cultural robots individually represent different heritage landmarks of the host city.

Chinese Flag is carried to the flag pole by soldiers and is hoisted

This opening ceremony pays ode to China’s modern and traditional outlook.

All the dignitaries including Chinese President Xi Jinping enters the stadium.

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The live streaming of the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony will be available on SonyLIV and Sony Sports Networt.

The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium will host the Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony on September 23 at 05:30 pm IST.