Esports shine at Asian Games in China’s Hangzhou

By Masanori Inagaki / Yomiuri Shimbun Photographer

20:00 JST, September 25, 2023

HANGZHOU, China — The burgeoning popularity of esports has been underlined by its adoption as an official discipline at this year’s 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

On Thursday — two days before the Games officially began — organizers set up a booth for visitors to experience various esports games and buy related items in a passageway linking a subway station to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, a major gateway to the Games.

A cosplayer dressed as a character from a popular Chinese smartphone game appeared at the booth on the day, along with the Games’ official mascot, attracting numerous passersby, many of whom snapped pictures with their digital devices.