By Sundeep Misra, OCA Media
Nagoya, Japan, September 26, 2026: Heavy conditions, incessant rain and temperatures hovering around a chilly 20°C made life difficult for competitors at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
Yet, far from dampening spirits, the adverse weather brought out elite resilience. When athletes face sliding circles, slick runways and a chill, establishing Asian Games records becomes more than just a win; it proves a tenacity to overcome the toughest obstacles.
The field events bore the brunt of the weather, but the elements couldn’t stop historic milestones. In the men’s shot put, Iran’s Mohammadreza Tayebise delivered a superb performance under pressure, launching a massive 20.81m on his second attempt and breaking the previous Asian Games record of 20.75m set by India's Tajinderpal Singh Toor at Jakarta 2018.
Coming off a recent injury, Toor secured a commendable silver with a 20.64m throw. The bronze went to Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Tolu with 20.48m.
“The circle was slick and the cold made it hard to get loose, but you block it out once you step in,” Tayebise said. “To break the record here under these skies makes it extra special.”
Meanwhile, the triple jump pit witnessed history when China’s Su Wen shattered a 35-year-old Games record with an explosive 17.42m jump. The previous milestone had stood since Zou Sixin’s 17.31m effort at Beijing 1990. Japan’s Manato Miyao claimed silver with a personal best 16.77m with China's Ma Yinglong taking the bronze with 16.75m.
“With the heavy rain coming down, rhythm is everything,” Su remarked after his record-breaking feat. “You just trust your technique, ignore the water and let the jump happen.”
*The track events delivered equal drama. Thailand’s Joshua Atkinson conquered the men’s 400m in a blistering 44.90 seconds, holding off a fierce challenge from the UAE’s Suleiman Abdulrahman (44.99) and Japan’s Yuki Joseph Nakajima (45.22s) in a race defined by thin margins.
“The conditions made it heavy going down the backstretch, but everyone faces the same track,” Atkinson said. “Crossing that line first makes every drop of rain worth it.”