Key information
At the Asian Games in Nagoya, 11-year-old Yuki Kurihara secured a gold medal in Puyo Puyo Champions. After falling behind 1-0 early in the final match, the Japanese competitor mounted a comeback to defeat South Korean player Kang Dong-shin with a final score of 10-2.
Kurihara navigated the tournament bracket by outplaying several opponents, some of whom were three times his age. He is believed to have been the youngest participant at the Aichi-Nagoya games, with spectators noting his remarkable composure under pressure throughout the event.
Reflecting on his victory, Kurihara admitted feeling slightly embarrassed during the medal ceremony, which limited his outward emotional expression. He described the gold medal as beautiful, shiny, and heavy. The young champion also shared that he prepares for competitions by eating eel.
This achievement marks a notable moment in the current year of esports, standing alongside other major individual performances on the global stage. The victory highlights the rising prominence of young talent in competitive gaming at continental multisport events.
