Asian Games Closing Ceremony Highlights: India finishes with best-ever display as 19th Asiad concludes

It was an immense pleasure to bring all the action to you from Hangzhou throughout the 19th edition of the Asiad. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Toodles!

The 19th edition has paved the way for sport in the digital age and we can expect the 20th edition to be hosted in Japan to take it to a completely different level. 

The digital torchbearer that mesmerised everyone during the opening ceremony is back to cast an enchanting spell.

Crackers of various kinds are now dazzling in the dark Hangzhou sky.

The volunteers are encircling each other with various tableau motioning along with them and the three mascots are at the centre of all the action.

The Japanese national anthem is playing as they are the hosts of the 20th edition of the Asian Games.

The prominent dignitaries have taken centre stage and are waving the Olympic Council of Asia flag.

The Olympic Council of Asia hymn is playing at the moment.

Raja Randhir Singh, the acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia is now addressing the crowd.

Gao Zhidan, the president of the 19th edition of the Hangzhou Asian Games organising committee is addressing the spectators and athletes.

AI-generated flowers of lotus and osmanthus are coming down from the top of the stadium and giving the surreal impression of shooting stars burning brightly.

Spectators give a rousing reception to all the athletes and are waving tiny flags in euphoria.

The volunteers are circling around the athletes with flags of various participating countries in their hands. The stadium is fully packed with a capacity crowd.

The three mascots of the Asian games - Chenchen, Congcong and Lianlian are singing songs alongside several children at the venue.

Athletes of all countries are clicking selfies and soaking in the magnificent atmosphere.

PR Sreejesh is all smiles as he marches alongside the flag bearers of other nations while holding the Indian tricolour high.

The Indian contingent is making its way into the stadium led by its flag bearer PR Sreejesh.

 The closing ceremony is underway with the theme - "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou"

It is a line from a riveting Chinese poem on Hangzhou.

China continued its remarkable performance and topped the medals tally. China bagged 383 medals, including 201 gold, 111 silver and 71 bronze.

PR Sreejesh, India's veteran hockey goalkeeper and a part of the gold medal-winning team at Hangzhou will be India's flag bearer at the closing ceremony.

The closing ceremony will revolve around "Heart to Heart" - the slogan for Hangzhou 2023.

The 19th edition of the Asiad witnessed India's best-ever performance in the history of the continental event. India finished fourth on the points table behind China, Japan and South Korea with a total of 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of the Asian Games. After days of riveting and high-flying action, it's time to draw curtains on the mega event. Stay tuned to our live blog for all the latest updates from Hangzhou.