Shigenobu and Koji Murofushi lit the Asian Games cauldron, sealing the opening ceremony in Nagoya.
The relay was a parade of Japan’s sporting icons—wrestler Fujinami, swimmer Kitajima, sprinter Ito, badminton star Takahashi—before the hammer‑throw duo took the final torch. And the crowd erupted as the two raised the flame, the metallic heart‑shaped cauldron glowing against the night.
Shigenobu, a five‑time Asian Games champion, had dominated the event in the 70s and 80s. Koji, who followed his father's footsteps, captured Olympic gold in 2004 and world title in 2011. Their joint lighting symbolised a legacy that has spanned three generations, from sumo to hammer throw, and from flag‑bearer to Olympic champion.
With the Games now officially open, Japan will look to translate the ceremony’s energy into podium finishes across athletics, football and more.