TOKYO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The torch relay for next month's Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games began Saturday at Nagoya Castle, with three-time Olympic wrestling champion Saori Yoshida carrying the flame on its opening leg.
The official Games flame was formed shortly before the relay by combining three fires collected in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagoya. Former Japan football star Homare Sawa and retired tennis player Kimiko Date brought the fires kindled at Tokyo's National Stadium on August 18 and in Hiroshima two days later.
Takeru Goto, a member of Japanese boy band INI and an official ambassador for the Games, kindled the Nagoya fire with a concave mirror before the three fires were merged.
Yoshida, who competed at four Asian Games and won gold, said the continental event holds special memories for her.
"I hope the feelings of every torchbearer will give strength to the athletes competing at the Games," she said before setting off from the castle.
The flame was then handed to local torchbearers and carried through central Nagoya. Saturday's route included Meijo Park, Hisaya-odori Park, the Oasis 21 complex and the Nakagawa Canal. The flame will be divided after the opening-day relay and carried along two routes across Aichi Prefecture.
Around 1,000 torchbearers, including members of the public and prominent figures, will carry the flame through 40 local government areas and a number of schools before it arrives at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on September 19 for the Games' opening ceremony.
Japan will host the Asian Games for the third time, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
The 20th Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, featuring 43 sports and athletes from 45 countries and regions across Asia. ■
