Asian Games Torch Relay Begins at Nagoya Castle

Nagoya, Aug. 22 (Jiji Press)--The torch relay for the Asian Games, which are scheduled to open on Sept. 19, began Saturday at Nagoya Castle's Ni-no-maru Square in Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

The relay will visit 40 municipalities across the prefecture and bring the flame to 14 schools, including junior high schools.

Prior to the relay, a flame-lighting ceremony was held at the square. The flame for this year's Games was created by combining the one from the torch holder used at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo and the Flame of Peace at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in the western city of Hiroshima, which hosted the 1994 Asian Games.

Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic champion in women's wrestling, served as the first torchbearer.

"I'm very honored. I had always been on the side of athletes, so this time I ran with the feeling of cheering them," Yoshida said. "I hope to give the athletes energy."

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]