Asian Games: Japan name women flag bearer, captain for first time

Tokyo: Japan named weightlifter Hiromi Miyake as team captain and archer Kaori Kawanaka as flag bearer for next month`s Asian Games in South Korea, the first time the country has selected women for both roles.

The duo will lead Japan`s team of 716 athletes for the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 Games in Incheon, South Korea, where they will look to improve on the third place showing in the medals table at the last Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Miyake, 28, won a silver medal in the 48-kilogram category at the 2012 Olympics and also a bronze at the 2006 world championships, while the 23-year-old Kawanaka took bronze in the team competition at the London Games.