The opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on September 23 remains to be a trending topic among attendees, as they hailed the ceremony using words such as "spectacular", "marvellous", and "stunning" during interviews with China Media Group (CMG). They include Olympic Council of Asia Vice President Rita Subowo, leader of the Pakistani delegation Hamdan Nazir, Secretary General of Vietnam Olympic Committee Tran Van Manh, as well as Badmaanyambuu Bat-Erdene, chairman of Mongolia's National Committee for Olympic Movement, Physical Activities and Sport, among others.
A digital figure and Olympic champion Wang Shun ignite the cauldron together at the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, September 23, 2023. /CFP
The inaugural digital torch ignition tops all impressive performances from the opening ceremony, when a digital human figure ran across the Qiantang River before it ignited the cauldron together with swimming Olympic champion Wang Shun, the last of six athletes who relayed the actual flame within the stadium.
Olympic Council of Asia Vice President Rita Subowo. /CMG
Subowo, who is former president of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, said that the opening ceremony was unprecedented and spectacular, just as how the hosting nation has impressed her.
Meanwhile, their remarks are echoed by athletes and coaches, as well as musician JFlow from Indonesia, who was amazed to the point of being speechless at the scene of the digital torch bearer.
"All I can say is wow," he said.
Head coach of Brunei's Wushu team Li Hui ranked his experience at the Hangzhou edition on top of all the editions he has participated.
"It is the highest level Asiad I have ever been in. The opening ceremony is particularly impressive. It is beyond fabulous. I was stunned," he said.
Head coach of Brunei's Wushu team Li Hui. /CMG
"I truly sensed the thoughtfulness of the organizers when the exquisite designs are revealed in the ignition part of the show, which also reflects China's rapid development in technology and economy, " said Iran's Wushu athlete Shahrbanun Mansoriyan.
Iranian Wushu athlete Shahrbanun Mansoriyan. /CMG
Elahe Mansoriyan, who is also from Iran and registered in Wushu competitions, would agree with her teammate, as she expressed joy through CMG to have been able to join the Hangzhou Asiad like joining a family.