Hundreds join in fun as Asian Games torch relay makes its rounds

The relay began on 8 September 2023 with the launch ceremony on the shores of the West Lake in Hangzhou and continued through Huzhou on Saturday.

On Saturday in Huzhou, the relay was led off by women’s volleyball superstar Zhou Suhong, Olympic champion at Athens in 2004 and a three-time Asian Games champion with China in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Wu Jingyu, Olympic women’s taekwondo champion in 2008 and 2012, also took part on Saturday as the 91st torchbearer. Wu is a two-time Asian Games champion in 2006 and 2010.

The last torchbearer in Huzhou - and 170th in all - was former javelin athlete Li Rongxiang, a three-time Asian champion and Asian Games gold medal-winner at Busan 2002. He also won two bronze medals at the Asian Games.

The relay will run from 8-20 September with 2,022 torchbearers in 11 cities in Zhejiang province. On the last day of the relay, delegates from the OCA’s 45 National Olympic Committees will each run 50 metres.

At the 19th Asian Games opening ceremony on 23 September, six torchbearers will complete the ceremonial proceedings before the cauldron is lit.

Source & main image: Olympic Council of Asia