Windsurfer Bi Kun named China's flag bearer for Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closing
In short
Chinese windsurfer Bi Kun will carry the national flag for China's delegation at the closing ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the delegation said on Oct 4. Bi defended his men's iQFOiL title, his third consecutive Asian Games gold across two different windsurfing classes. China finished the Games with 169 gold, 89 silver and 83 bronze medals, which China News Service described as the delegation's best result at an Asian Games held abroad.
Why it matters
The flag-bearer appointment caps a three-title Asian Games career for Bi Kun and puts a windsurfer, rather than a track or pool athlete, in China's most visible ceremonial role at the Games. The 341-medal haul reported by an official outlet gives China's delegation a record to cite from an Asian Games staged outside the country, at a host city preparing for the ceremony that closes the event.
Key facts
- Bi Kun will be the flag bearer for China's delegation at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closing ceremony, the Chinese delegation said on Oct 4. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Bi Kun won the men's windsurfing iQFOiL event at the Games, defending his title, according to Jiemian. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He has won three consecutive Asian Games titles, in the RS:X class at Jakarta 2018 and the iQFOiL class at Hangzhou and at these Games. [ 2 , 3 ]
- China won 169 gold, 89 silver and 83 bronze medals, 341 in total, described by China News Service as the delegation's best result at an Asian Games held outside China. [ 3 ]
- The closing ceremony is due to be held on the evening of Oct 4. [ 2 ]
- Bi said he would hold the flag high so that Chinese people, Asia and the world could see it. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Bi Kun will carry China's flag at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games closing ceremony. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Bi Kun is a men's windsurfing athlete who won his event at these Asian Games. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Bi Kun has won three consecutive Asian Games titles, competing in the RS:X class in 2018 and the iQFOiL class at the two most recent Games. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact start time of the closing ceremony. Jiemian says only that the ceremony will be held on the evening of Oct 4; no time is given in any document.
- Whether Bi Kun will continue competing beyond the next two years. He said he hoped to re-sort his direction for the coming two years and keep competing, but no decision was reported; this appears only in the China News Service interview.
- The full individual medal breakdown of the Chinese delegation beyond the totals. Only China News Service gives the delegation's medal tally, with no breakdown by sport.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yicai reports that Bi Kun will be China's flag bearer at the Nagoya Asian Games closing ceremony. [ 1 ]
- Jiemian reports the appointment, citing the Chinese delegation's Oct 4 announcement and Xinhua, and gives Bi's three consecutive titles and the closing ceremony date. [ 2 ]
- China News Service publishes an interview in which Bi Kun says the role was a dream of his and that he will hold the flag high. [ 3 ]
- Xinhua publishes a headline quoting Bi Kun saying the appointment is a great honour and a long-held dream. [ 4 ]