❄️ 1st Sapporo Asian Winter Games (1986)
The 1st Asian Winter Games were held in Sapporo, Japan, in 1986, marking the beginning of Asia’s winter sports history. Seven countries participated: South Korea, Japan, China, North Korea, Hong Kong, India, and Mongolia. The host nation, Japan, dominated the event, securing first place overall. South Korea won 1 gold, 5 silver, and 13 bronze medals, finishing in third place.
🥇 2nd Sapporo Asian Winter Games (1990)
The 2nd Asian Winter Games took place again in Sapporo, Japan, in 1990, with 10 countries participating. Japan showcased its winter sports prowess, achieving back-to-back victories. South Korea improved its performance, earning 6 gold, 7 silver, and 7 bronze medals, maintaining its third-place position from the previous Games.
🏂 3rd Harbin Asian Winter Games (1996)
The 3rd Games were hosted in Harbin, China, in 1996. Originally scheduled to be held in Samjiyon, North Korea, the event was relocated to China due to internal issues in North Korea. The Games saw a significant expansion with 16 participating nations, including many Central Asian countries. China, as the host, claimed first place overall, while South Korea earned 8 gold, 10 silver, and 8 bronze medals, finishing fourth.
🇰🇷 4th Gangwon Asian Winter Games (1999)
In 1999, the 4th Asian Winter Games were held in Yongpyong, Gangwon Province, South Korea. A total of 21 countries and 806 athletes participated, marking a notable growth in the event’s scale. South Korea performed strongly on home soil, securing 11 gold, 10 silver, and 14 bronze medals, finishing second overall behind China.
🌏 5th Aomori Asian Winter Games (2003)
The 5th Games were held in Aomori, Japan, in 2003, under the motto “Asian Beat to the World.” This event featured a record participation of over 1,200 athletes from 28 countries. North Korea returned to the Asian Winter Games after a 13-year absence, sending a delegation of 55 athletes. Japan claimed first place overall, while South Korea finished second with 10 gold, 8 silver, and 10 bronze medals.
🏆 6th Changchun Asian Winter Games (2007)
The 6th Games took place in Changchun, China, in 2007. The host country dominated the competition, finishing first overall, with Japan in second place. South Korea secured third place with 9 gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze medals. This edition highlighted the growing competitiveness of winter sports in Asia.
🏔️ 7th Astana-Almaty Asian Winter Games (2011)
In 2011, the 7th Games were co-hosted by Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan. The host nation, Kazakhstan, delivered an outstanding performance, winning 13 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze medals to secure first place. Japan finished second, and South Korea took third place. This event showcased Kazakhstan’s rise as a winter sports powerhouse in Asia.
🥳 8th Sapporo Asian Winter Games (2017)
The 8th Games returned to Sapporo and Obihiro, Japan, in 2017, attracting 1,787 athletes from 32 countries. Competitions were held across five sports with 64 gold medals at stake. Japan dominated once again, winning 27 gold, 21 silver, and 26 bronze medals. South Korea claimed second place with 16 gold, 18 silver, and 16 bronze medals, marking its first time in 14 years to secure the second spot, exceeding its initial goals.
🏳️🌈 9th Harbin Asian Winter Games (2025)
The upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games will be held from February 7 to 14, 2025, in Harbin and Yabuli, China. This event is expected to feature a record-breaking 34 countries and around 1,300 athletes competing for 64 gold medals. It will mark the third time China has hosted the Asian Winter Games, following the events in Harbin (1996) and Changchun (2007).