Alex Hua Tian targets another Asian Games medal with eye on LA 2028

Chinese eventing rider Alex Hua Tian is targeting more medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, as the defending champion looks to use the continental competition as another step towards targeting a fifth Olympic appearance at Los Angeles 2028. Speaking to CGTN Sports Scene's Shen Xiang after arriving in Japan, the 36-year-old said preparations had gone smoothly, with his horse Manjushri handling the journey to Tokyo well following a 10-day quarantine in Aachen, Germany.

"Everything is pretty good so far," Hua Tian said. "The horses for the team all flew really well."

He has returned to the Asian Games after making history at Hangzhou 2022, where he won individual eventing gold and helped China secure the team crown, bringing the country its first gold medals in equestrian sport. 

Despite that success, Hua Tian said his approach remains similar. 

"I don't think my mindset is any different," Hua Tian said. "My hope is to medal. That's my goal. Exactly where we finish up depends on the day itself."

The Chinese rider will compete with nine-year-old Manjushri, a horse he has worked with for around four years. The pair won a CCI3*-S competition in Great Britain in July, while Hua Tian finished 12th aboard Chicko at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen in August.

Although the 2026 Asian Games do not offer direct qualification for LA 2028, Hua Tian said the competition gives Manjushri valuable experience.

"He's part of my team leading up towards the LA Olympic Games," Hua Tian said. "To give him an opportunity to go on the plane, to get accustomed and acclimatise to competing in different places and used to different situations and scenarios is great experience for him as well."

Having made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2008 aged 18, Hua Tian also believes experience remains one of eventing's biggest assets.

"I still think I'm that 18-year-old boy in Beijing Olympics," he joked. "Equestrian sports in general, eventing included, is not just forgiving of age, but experience really counts."