A 13-year-old skateboarder and a 37-year-old soccer player will be among Shandong's largest-ever Asian Games delegation. The eastern Chinese province is sending 104 athletes to the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, the biggest contingent from any province in the country.

The team's age range reflects a broad mix of experience and youth. Shandong will compete in 25 sports and 86 events, covering more than half of the games' 43 disciplines. Alongside its traditional strengths in shooting, rowing and swimming, the province will also field athletes in newer sports such as skateboarding and breakdancing.

The delegation also includes 16 coaches and three medical rehabilitation staff.

The games run from Sept 19 to Oct 4. How many medals Shandong brings home remains to be seen, but its presence alone signals the depth of China's regional sports system.