Gamagori, Japan, September 21, 2026: Lin Xinyu collected her second gold medal at the Asian Games after leading China to a dominant victory in the mixed team triathlon relay on the foreshores of Mikawa Bay.
Lin followed up her impressive win in the individual women’s race 24 hours earlier by joining forces with her talented team mates Li Mingxu, Huang Anqi and Zhang Xirui to clinch the gold in a combined time of one hour 25 minutes 54 seconds.
“I’m really moved. I feel that our three years of preparation, all the time we’ve spent together over these three years, and the mutual encouragement we’ve given each other haven’t been in vain,” Lin said.
“We’ve put in an enormous amount of effort to win this gold medal, and I think it’s all been worth it.
“I wanted to take the first leg. I wanted to make the most of my strength in all three disciplines to secure the greatest possible time advantage for my three teammates who followed.”
The star-studded Chinese team finished 51 seconds ahead of the silver medallists Japan and more than a minute and a half in front of Hong Kong, China.
Lin delivered on her promise by building up a massive 39-second lead after her opening leg, which comprised a 300m swim, a 6.6 kilometres bike ride then a 2km run.
Although Japan’s Manami Hayashi briefly hit the front during the swim and bike stages of the third leg, Huang, who won silver in the women’s solo event, regained the lead with a blistering run before handing over to Zhang, who had won silver in the men’s race and proceeded to surge further ahead before taking the tape.
“To be honest, I didn’t dare take my foot off the pedals for a moment. I simply gave it my all to finish the race,” Zhang said.
“We really have to acknowledge that the Japanese team are incredibly resourceful; it’s only by facing that challenge that we can bring out the best in ourselves.”
Hayashi added a silver to the bronze she won in the individual event while Hojo made his second trip to the podium after taking gold in the men’s solo race. Mako Hiraizumi and Kasushi Jozuka were Japan’s other relay members.
“The first three runners brought me into the final leg in a good position, close to China, so I thought I might catch them, but I couldn’t close the gap,” said Hojo, who dyed his hair bright red in honour of his country.
“Japan won a gold and a bronze medal in the individual events yesterday, so I feel that has brought more attention to triathlon. We had even more support from the crowd today than yesterday. I’m disappointed that we couldn’t win gold, but I hope this Asian Games can be a turning point for us.”
