Esports & breaking with tradition

China's esports medal hopefuls are well aware that all the attention comes with equally intense pressure.

"There are great expectations, but we will handle the pressure, so that we can focus on our competition," said Zhu Kai, head coach of the Chinese League of Legends squad.

"We will try to enable a fair environment for all the players to display their best at the Asian Games and to show the fans what they are capable of. We have arranged personality tests and psychology classes to ensure our players will have a great mentality."

Breaking was welcomed into the 19th Asian Games sports program at the OCA General Assembly in Oman in December 2020, following a successful appearance at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018 and its subsequent inclusion into the program of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"The addition of breaking is because of its popularity among young people. Through breaking, we hope more people, especially the younger generation, will be attracted to the Asian Games and to sports," said Yang Meng, an official of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee.