11-year-old becomes youngest ever Asian Games gold medalist
Japanese esports player Yuhki Kurihara, aged 11, won gold in "Puyo Puyo Champions" at the Asian Games in Nagoya, becoming the youngest champion in the event's history.
Japan's 11-year-old Yuhki Kurihara secured the gold medal in the "Puyo Puyo Champions" esports event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. He defeated South Korea's Kang Dong-shin with a decisive 10-2 score in the final. Kurihara now holds the record as the youngest gold medalist in the history of the Asian Games, surpassing the previous record.
Kurihara, who is also the youngest competitor representing Japan at this edition of the Games, began playing the puzzle game at age six after receiving "Puyo Puyo Tetris 2" as a Christmas gift. He started participating in tournaments in the second grade of elementary school and became the first elementary school student in Japan to earn a professional esports license in April 2026.
In "Puyo Puyo Champions," players arrange colored "puyos" to create chain reactions, a core competitive element involving prediction and strategic planning. Kurihara manages his training to around one hour per day to balance his academic studies with competitive gaming.
Throughout the tournament, Kurihara advanced through the group stage undefeated, topping Group A. He then defeated opponents from Singapore and Thailand in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, before facing Kang Dong-shin in the final. Despite losing the first game, Kurihara quickly adjusted and secured the victory with a 15-chain combo.
The silver medal in "Puyo Puyo Champions" went to South Korea's Kang Dong-shin, with players from Thailand and Chinese Taipei sharing the bronze. Kurihara expressed his joy after the match, stating, "I am very happy to win because many spectators were supporting and cheering for me. The atmosphere was really great."