Nagoya, Japan, October 3, 2026: The Olympic Council of Asia announced the result of the election for the OCA Athletes Committee during a press conference at the Main Media Centre on Saturday, October 3.
The OCA was looking to fill four places on the committee – one female athlete from West Asia, one male athlete from Central Asia, one male athlete from East Asia and one female athlete from Southeast Asia. This system was to ensure gender equity and regional representation on the committee.
There was a total of nine candidates for the four positions – two from West Asia, three from Central Asia, three from East Asia and one from Southeast Asia.
Athletes participating in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 were entitled to vote at one of several polling stations within athletes’ accommodation such as the cruise ship at Kinjo Pier, Asian Games Villas at Garden Pier and 75 hotels.
The OCA said, of the 11,000 athletes at the Asian Games, a total of 5,215 votes were collected during the voting period of September 20 to October 2. The following results were announced at the press conference:
WEST ASIA
Votes tallied: 5,215
Hanan Nassar (Boxing) – JORDAN – 2,094 votes (40.15 per cent)
Reem Al Sharsharni (Shooting) – QATAR – 3,121 (59.85 per cent)
*Reem Al Sharsharni (Shooting) - QATAR wins with 59.85 per cent of the votes.
CENTRAL ASIA
Votes tallied: 5,215
Arian Salimi (Taekwondo) – IRAN - 1535 votes (29.43 per cent)
Amir Maimuratov (Sport Climbing) – KAZAKHSTAN – 1,900 votes (36.43 per cent)
Jasurbek Jaysunov (Taekwondo) – UZBEKISTAN – 1,780 votes (34.13 per cent)
*Amir Maimuratov (Sport Climbing) - KAZAKHSTAN wins with 36.43 per cent of the votes.
EAST ASIA
Votes tallied: 5,215
Cho Sung-min (Sailing) - SOUTH KOREA – 1,832 votes (35.13 per cent)
Naoto Tobe (Athletics) – JAPAN – 2,238 votes (42.91 per cent)
Chun Han Yang (Athletics) - CHINESE TAIPEI – 1,145 votes (21.96 per cent)
*Naoto Tobe (Athletics) - JAPAN wins with 42.91 per cent of the votes.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Votes tallied: 5,215 votes
Thanyalak Chotphibunsin (Shooting) - THAILAND – 5,215 votes (100 per cent)
*Thanyalak Chotphibunsin (Shooting) - THAILAND wins with 100 per cent of the votes.
The Chair of the OCA Athletes’ Committee, Ding Ning, welcomed the four new members, including Naoto Tobe who was in attendance, and said the Athletes’ Committee was very important for the OCA as it gave the athletes a voice.
“I think this election is very important. The new members will bring different ideas to the committee,” she said.
“I would like to thank all candidates for showing courage and commitment and for all your efforts. Congratulations to the winners of the election – you have an important job and will represent the athletes from across Asia. I look forward to working with you together.”
In addition to the four elected members, the Athletes Committee will also be joined by Rajeshwari Kumari from India who has been nominated by the OCA Executive Board to represent the South Asian Region. They now join the existing members of the OCA Athletes Committee, together representing athletes from across the OCA’s regions.
*The newly elected members of the OCA Athletes Committee joined the existing committee members later Saturday for an introductory meeting.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the new representatives to meet their fellow committee members, learn more about their roles and responsibilities and discuss the priorities and plans for the coming term.
The committee discussed a range of areas including strengthening athlete engagement across Asia, improving communication with athletes and National Olympic Committees and developing initiatives that respond to the needs and experiences of athletes.
