At 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already made history at the Asian Games. The young Indian cricketer became the youngest Indian to win an Asian Games gold medal after India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games.But there is an even younger name at the top of the Asian Games record books.Just days before Sooryavanshi’s historic gold, 11-year-old Japanese esports player Yuki Kurihara became the youngest gold medallist in Asian Games history. He achieved the feat in a sport very different from cricket – the puzzle game Puyo Puyo Champions – defeating South Korea’s 24-year-old Kang Dongshin 10-2 in the final.
Who is Yuki Kurihara?
Yuki Kurihara won gold in Puyo Puyo Champions at the age of 11.
Kurihara is an elementary school student from Japan who competed in the esports competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. At just 11, he was also reported to be the youngest competitor at the Games.His gold-medal run was remarkable not only because of his age, but also because of the experience of some of the opponents he faced.In the semi-final, Kurihara defeated Thailand’s 28-year-old Tanarak Wongkitkun 10-1, ensuring himself at least a silver medal. He then faced South Korea’s Kang Dongshin in the gold-medal match.Kurihara initially fell 1-0 behind in the final. He then responded with a string of wins and eventually closed out the match 10-2 to claim the gold on home soil. The Olympic Council of Asia described the victory as a record-setting achievement, confirming that Kurihara had become the youngest champion across all editions of the Asian Games.The young player appeared remarkably composed after the victory. Speaking after his win, Kurihara said he felt “a bit embarrassed” and found it difficult to show much emotion. But the significance of the moment was not lost on him. “I’m really happy. The gold medal is really beautiful, shiny and heavy,” he said.
From a Christmas present to an Asian Games gold
Kurihara’s association with Puyo Puyo began when he received Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 as a Christmas present about five years ago. He became fascinated by the game’s chain mechanics and went on to compete in tournaments.According to The Japan Times, he began playing during his first year of elementary school and later earned a professional licence in April 2026. He had already won the elementary school division of the 2024 SAGA National Prefectural eSports Championship and the open division of a 2025 SHIGA championship before arriving at the Asian Games.His preparation is also unusual for a child his age. Reports have noted his love of eel, which he eats as part of his preparation for competitions. Despite the demanding training schedule, Kurihara continues his school education alongside esports. The Associated Press reported that he trains for around eight hours a day while keeping up with his studies.
He was facing players more than twice his age
The age difference between Kurihara and his opponents was one of the most striking aspects of his campaign. His semi-final opponent Wongkitkun was 28, meaning Kurihara was less than half his age. In the final, he faced 24-year-old Kang.Yet the youngster did not appear overawed by the difference in experience.After losing the opening game of the final, Kurihara recovered and gradually took control. His eventual 10-2 victory gave Japan a gold medal and placed his name in the history of the Asian Games.
