Torch relay for ninth edition of Asian Winter Games wraps up in Harbin

The official start of the ninth Asian Winter Games is set for Friday, February 7, and on Monday, the torch relay took place in the host city of Harbin.

A total of 120 torchbearers, with the youngest checking in at 16 and the oldest being 83, carried the flame past a series of local landmarks. First in line was 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics pairs figure skating gold medalist Shen Xue, who also teamed with longtime partner Zhao Hongbo to win an Asian Winter Games record four straight golds in their event.

Other athletes who took turns carrying the flame included China's first speed skating world champion Luo Zhihuan and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics pairs figure skating gold medalist Sui Wenjing.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Asian Winter Games saw its first sporting event, ice hockey, get underway on the same day. Athletes from the host nation were set make their first appearance in the mixed doubles curling event on Tuesday.

The Opening Ceremony is slated for Friday and the competition will run until February 14. More than 1,270 athletes from 34 nations and regions are expected to take part, making this edition the largest in terms of participating delegations and total number of competitors.