Japan’s 11-year-old Yuki Kurihara wins Asian Games e-sports gold
Kurihara beat South Korea’s Kang Dongshin 10–2 in the Puyo Puyo Champions final in Aichi-Nagoya.
Japan’s Yuki Kurihara, an 11-year-old primary school student, has won gold in Puyo Puyo Champions at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He defeated South Korea’s Kang Dongshin 10–2 in the final.
Kurihara fell behind 1–0 before taking control of the match. He reached the final after beating Thailand’s Tanarak Wongkitkun 10–1 in the semifinal.
Al Jazeera reports that Kurihara is believed to be the youngest competitor at these Games and describes him as the youngest athlete in Japan’s Asian Games history. The available material does not establish a record for the youngest medallist across the Games’ history.
Kurihara began playing Puyo Puyo in his first year of primary school and obtained a professional licence in April 2026. He has said balancing competition with school and cram school is difficult, but enjoyable.
After the final, Kurihara said he felt embarrassed and could not show much expression, but was happy with the gold medal.
