Asian Games 2018 closing ceremony highlights: As it happened
Live Updates: The closing ceremony of Asian Games 2018 took place in Jakarta. Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal, who guided her team to the sliver medal, was India’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony. Thousands of athletes in ponchos marched in heavy rain at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium at the close of a two-week tournament featuring 40 sports.Riding high on the Games’ success, President Joko Widodo has announced a bid to hold the 2032 Olympics -- which would have seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago.Follow Asian Games 2018 closing ceremony live here -
18:39 hrs IST
End of Asian Games 2018
The 18th Asian Games closed at a glittering ceremony in Jakarta on Sunday, bringing down the curtain on a two-week tournament featuring 40 sports.
“I declare the 18th Asian Games closed,” said Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia.
18:36 hrs IST
Bach hopeful
Olympics chief Thomas Bach is to open talks with North and South Korea about marching and competing together at the 2020 Tokyo Games, he said on Sunday.
18:14 hrs IST
More wishes
With a total of 15 GOLD 24 SILVER & 30 BRONZE medals, India has recorded it's BEST EVER RUN in the history of #ASIANGAMES at #ASIANGAMES2018.
Hats off to our athletes, who accomplished this feat with sheer tenacity, determination and hard work. We r all proud of them! #KheloIndia pic.twitter.com/vfcEOzHIGU
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 2, 2018
18:04 hrs IST
Jinson on Manjit
It was disappointing for Jinson Johnson not to win the 800m but the 1500m Asiad champion was far from surprised that compatriot Manjit Singh pipped him for the top prize in his pet 800m event.
17:54 hrs IST
A special wish
As the #AsianGames2018 come to a close, I once again congratulate the Indian contingent for their excellent performance. The 2018 Games have been the best for India in the history of the Asian Games. Every athlete who took part in the Games is India’s pride.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2018
17:51 hrs IST
Contingents celebrate
The contingents are slowly entering the arena and the excitement is clear from their faces. The rain is showing no signs of slowing down but the ceremony is in full swing.
17:44 hrs IST
Teams are here
The teams are here and the flag-bearers are coming out one by one. Rani Rampal is the official flag-bearer for India.
17:36 hrs IST
Ceremony begins
The proceedings begin with a fireworks show and the national anthem of Indonesia.
17:33 hrs IST
Closing ceremony underway
The lights are off and the stadium is ready for the closing ceremony. What an event it has been and although it is raining in Jakarta, it is not enough to douse the enthusiasm of the crowd.
17:23 hrs IST
Japan’s future promise
Now comes the hard part for Japan, which is pledging to win 30 gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Japan is sure to get a “medal bounce” as the Olympic host country. But how big? China got a giant one at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Britain capitalized in 2012 in London.
17:10 hrs IST
Japan and the first female MVP
Teenage swimming sensation Rikako Ikee said she would celebrate with barbecued beef and sushi as she was named the best athlete at the Asian Games on Sunday.
Ikee, 18, who grabbed a record six gold medals in Jakarta, said she hoped she had put Japanese swimming on the map ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
17:07 hrs IST
Indonesia’s pride
Indonesia’s hosting of the Asian Games and a record haul of gold medals have swelled national pride, providing a boost to the re-election campaign of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
16:58 hrs IST
India’s superstar
Swapna Barman stood out with her twelve toes -- six per foot -- to clinch gold in heptathlon, chipping in to help India achieve a record 69 medals at the continental games.
16:52 hrs IST
Asian Games medal haul
The best-ever medal haul at the 2018 Asian Games is a leap forward for Indian sport after the Commonwealth Games medal spurt. From teenager Saurabh Chaudhary to 60-year-old Pranab Bardhan, an assortment of athletes combined to produce a top show even as the country endured shocking results in kabaddi and hockey.
16:02 hrs IST
Hello and welcome
The 15-day extravaganza is coming to and end and it is time for the Asian Games 2018 closing ceremony.