South Korea Wins Fighting Game Gold at Asian Games

South Korea's fighting game team captured the gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, defeating Japan 5-2 in the final on September 26 at Aichi Sky Expo. The three-player squad—Bae Jae-min competing in Tekken 8, Lee Kwang-no in The King of Fighters XV, and Yeon Je-gil in Street Fighter 6—secured victory through a combination of dominant performances and resilience under pressure.

Bae Jae-min, the Tekken 8 representative, described the achievement as transformative. After more than three decades of competitive gaming, he called the Asian Games final "the most meaningful day" of his career. Though he lost his opening match against Nobi, Bae recovered by analyzing his mistakes and won both subsequent matches to clinch the medal. Lee Kwang-no delivered consistency throughout the tournament, remaining undefeated and securing two sets in his discipline. Yeon Je-gil faced a particularly dramatic turnaround, losing his initial matchup against Higuchi before defeating the same opponent in a rematch that proved crucial to the team's advancement.

The players credited their month-long training camp in Busan as essential to their success. Living and training together from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., the team pushed through the physical and emotional demands of separation from their families. Lee Kwang-no, the oldest member, maintained his condition through physical therapy and strategic rest periods. Both Bae and Yeon acknowledged the difficulty of the intensive preparation but emphasized that their commitment to each other sustained them through the challenge.

Lee Kwang-no reflected on his confidence in his teammates' abilities, stating that he believed their individual victories would compound into collective success. He also recognized the contributions of coaching staff, association officials, and support personnel who facilitated their preparation. Yeon Je-gil, competing in his second Asian Games after the Hangzhou edition, expressed gratitude for his teammates' steadiness, noting that his personal victory against Higuchi eased the team's path to the finish line.

The significance of three players in their 40s winning gold together resonated deeply with the squad. Bae Jae-min expressed hope that their achievement would inspire others to pursue their ambitions regardless of age. Yeon Je-gil reinforced this message, stating that age holds no bearing on success when paired with dedication. Both players indicated willingness to support future Asian Games competitions, demonstrating their continued investment in esports representation at the international level.