By Zaynab Kawtharani, OCA Young Reporter from Lebanon
Nagoya, Japan, September 24, 2026: China’s Qiu Qiyuan won the women’s uneven bars gold medal in artistic gymnastics at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, scoring 15.100 at Nagoya Rainbow Hall.
Japan’s Misa Nishiyama took silver with 14.433, while Qiu’s teammate Zhang Qingying claimed bronze with 14.233. Qiu received 6.7 for difficulty - the highest score in that category among the eight finalists.
Qiu said mistakes in her two previous uneven bars performances had increased the pressure before the final. Encouragement from her coaches and teammates helped her trust the routine she had practised for years.
Qiu said the prospect of seeing China’s flag raised and hearing its anthem had motivated her throughout her training. “That belief is what keeps me going,” she said.
Nishiyama said she had aimed for gold but was satisfied with her silver medal performance. She smiled after landing her dismount, having completed three uneven bars routines during the Games that she felt had gone well.
“The performance was the best I could do, so I am satisfied for that,” Nishiyama said. She added that she would work on increasing her routine’s difficulty while maintaining its execution.
Zhang said she had not expected to finish in the top three. After completing her routine, she waited for the final gymnast’s score, hoping her mark would hold up for bronze.
“When it came through I was surprised and very happy,” Zhang said. She also praised Qiu for completing her routine under pressure after her earlier mistakes.
Qiu said she planned to refine her technique and build strength, with winning at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games her biggest goal.