Three athletes from Shandong province helped China win its first gold medal at the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, claiming the women's modern pentathlon team title on Sept 20. Shandong athletes Zhang Mingyu, Meng Xin and Fu Jing, alongside teammate Wu Xiyao, scored 4,318 points to beat South Korea and Japan. 

The modern pentathlon event debuted a new format, with an obstacle run replacing the equestrian event and the competition compressed to about 90 minutes. China trailed after fencing, but Fu Jing's fastest obstacle run turned the tide. Zhang, a two-time Asian Games champion, took the individual silver with 1,460 points, while Wu earned bronze.

Shandong athletes continued their strong showing on Sept 21. Liu Dewen won gold in men's tai chi and tai chi sword all-around, while Zhang Xirui and his teammates claimed China's first-ever Asian Games gold in the triathlon mixed relay. Zhang Changhong and teammates set a world record of 1,899.0 points to win the men's 10m air rifle team event.