The 2025 Ajia Selection Track Results showcased the exceptional talents of athletes from across Asia, culminating in thrilling competitions and emotional moments. Among the standout performers was Kaiya Ota, who captured his second gold medal of the event, expressing deep satisfaction with his performance.
After the finals, Ota shared, "I was really happy to be able to run with (Shinki) Nakano in the finals." His victory was especially significant after the hard lesson learned two years ago at the Asian Championships, where he lost to Azizulhasni Awang. "I felt like I could finally update my image after the Olympics," he stated, reflecting on his growth. Acknowledging the absence of Awang from this competition, Ota felt confident he could win, transforming earlier disappointments.
Throughout the event, Ota refined his technique, saying, "I’ve been making fine adjustments with my bike and body, switching tires and changing saddle angles, which helped me feel good on the track." He registered impressive times, including 9.426 seconds during the qualifiers, noting, "Last year, I was frustrated not breaking my personal record at the Olympics, but I think I have improved because I've been able to consistently produce good times. I want to give myself credit for the effort."
The finals featured intense competition, particularly between Ota and Nakano. "Shinki is raising the level of Japanese keirin racing," Ota praised his rival, who finished with silver. Nakano, on the other hand, expressed his feelings post-race, admitting, "I still think I can’t compete with Kaiya. I recognized the time differences and was focused on how to strategize my race." Despite his loss, Nakano felt there were positives, saying, "I could slowly feel my growth during the event."
Nakano's spirit was evident throughout the competition. After battling through the team sprint, he was astutely focused on the individual sprint, stating, "My coach and I worked closely to maintain calm and focus on my performance. The excitement was palpable on the track."
Despite coming second, Nakano analyzed his performance, expressing some regret at not catching the Uzbek competitor who had lapped him. "I didn’t realize he was escaping until too late. But I’m glad this happened at the Asian Championships and not at the Olympics. It’s a mistake to learn from moving forward," he acknowledged.
Meanwhile, Mizuna Sato made history by winning her first Asia Championship title. "This win is significant for me as it's my first as Asian champion," she shared after the sprint finals. Feeling strong after three days of racing, she emphasized, "Normally, such events are crammed together, but this time I could concentrate fully on each race. I focused all my energy on the final sprint, chasing the best time."
Reflecting on her preliminary heat, Sato remarked, "I achieved my best time aside from the Olympics, which was huge for my confidence. I’m ready to aim for the medals at the upcoming Nation's Cup, focusing on the aspects I need to improve. I have notes on what I lacked and what I've grown to accomplish."
After the finals, Sato expressed gratitude for her coach and the support she received, as well as pride at reaching her goals. She declared, "I want to aim high and strive to medal at the Nation's Cup to set the stage for future competitions."
Each athlete left the track with introspection and motivation, setting their next targets and vowing to return stronger than ever. The 2025 Ajia Selection proved to be not just about titles but also about personal growth, challenges, and the pursuit of excellence on the international stage.