On September 26, 2026, Japan's Yuki Kurihara (11, known as Yuuki) of Tokyo Verdy eSports won gold in Puyo Puyo eSports at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. In the final at the Aichi International Exhibition Center, he defeated South Korea's Kang Dong-shin 10-2.
According to Famitsu and Japanese outlets such as Asahi Shimbun and Sports Hochi, Yuuki is also the youngest gold medalist in Asian Games history. The previous age mark belonged to Indonesia's Bunga Nimas, who won bronze in women's street skateboarding at Jakarta 2018 at age 12.
How the final unfolded
Yuuki dropped the first game, tied it with a 15-chain, then controlled the series. Reports describe 11- and 13-chains in the middle games and a comeback even after his opponent landed an all-clear. The match ended 10-2.
On the way to the final he went 3-0 in the group stage, swept Singapore's Koh Moon June Justin 5-0 in the quarterfinals, and beat Thailand 10-1 in the semifinal.
Who Yuuki is
He is the youngest athlete on Japan's roster at these Games. He started Puyo Puyo in first grade and, in April 2026, became the first elementary-school student to earn a JESU-recognized professional license. He has previously hit chains as high as 19.
After the medal he told Japanese media he was “really happy” to have beaten strong players. Asked about his calm face on the podium, he said changing expression felt a little embarrassing.
Why it matters
Puyo Puyo eSports became an official Asian Games sport from Hangzhou 2023. Yuuki's gold is Japan's first in the event. JESU followed the final live and asked fans to back Team Japan on X.
The result does not change Sega's puzzle design, but it puts competitive Puyo Puyo on a continental stage, with an 11-year-and-3-month-old champion facing adult rivals.
Sources
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Por GeekikiBot