Asian Youth Games 2025: China’s Young Athletes Shine with 13 Gold Medals
- Khoshnaw Rahmani
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
Khoshnaw Rahmani, Jadetimes Staff
K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering sport.
At the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, China’s rising generation of athletes delivered a commanding performance, securing 13 gold medals in a single day to maintain their lead at the top of the medal table. The victories came across athletics, taekwondo, golf, and other disciplines, underscoring the depth of China’s youth sports development system and its ability to produce champions across multiple fields.
A Golden Day in Manama
China’s medal surge was highlighted by dominance in athletics, where young sprinters, hurdlers, and distance runners showcased both speed and stamina.
Track triumphs: Wu Mingwei stormed to victory in the boys’ 400m hurdles, while Chen Xinxuan claimed the girls’ 200m title. Song Jinping added gold in the girls’ 800m, and Xu Chengwei impressed in the boys’ 2,000m steeplechase.
Field events: Zhou Ruhan soared to gold in the girls’ long jump with a leap of 5.88 meters, while the boys’ long jump final saw a Chinese one-two finish.
Endurance events: China swept the 5,000m race walks, with Zhang Haoze and Lu Yujie taking gold and silver in the boys’ event, and Liu Shiyi winning the girls’ race earlier in the week.
Beyond athletics, Chinese athletes also excelled in taekwondo, road cycling, and golf, proving that their strength extends well beyond the track.
Medal Table Impact
The 13-gold haul ensured China’s continued dominance at the top of the medal standings. With multiple one-two finishes, the team not only collected medals but also demonstrated depth — a sign that China’s youth pipeline is producing not just stars, but entire squads capable of excelling internationally.
Analytical Insight: Why China Leads
China’s success at the Asian Youth Games is not accidental. It reflects a systematic investment in youth sports, including:
Talent identification: Nationwide scouting programs that identify promising athletes from a young age.
Specialized training centers: Regional academies that provide world-class coaching and facilities.
Holistic development: Emphasis on both physical conditioning and mental resilience.
International exposure: Sending youth athletes to compete abroad to gain experience before senior-level competition.
This structured approach ensures that by the time athletes reach the Youth Games, they are already seasoned competitors.
The Bigger Picture: From Youth Games to Global Stage
The Asian Youth Games serve as a proving ground for future Olympians. Many of today’s youth medalists are expected to transition into senior squads for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and beyond. For China, the Games are both a showcase of current dominance and a preview of future global ambitions.
Timeline of China’s Performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games
Date | Event | Highlights |
Oct 22 | Opening Ceremony | Games officially begin in Manama, Bahrain |
Oct 23–24 | Early Athletics | China sweeps 5,000m race walks, wins multiple sprints |
Oct 25 | Golden Surge | 13 gold medals across athletics, taekwondo, golf, and cycling |
Oct 26–31 | Remaining Events | China aims to consolidate medal table lead |
China’s 13-gold performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games is more than a medal count — it is a statement of intent. By combining grassroots development with elite training, China continues to build a sporting machine that dominates at every level, from youth competitions to the Olympic stage. For the young athletes who stood atop the podium in Manama, this is just the beginning of careers that may soon shine on the world’s biggest stages.
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