China's Tang Jing disqualified after alleged bite at Asian Games

China's Tang Jing was disqualified from the quarter-finals of the Asian Games in Nagoya on 2 October 2026 after appearing to bite the arm of Japan's Rin Maeda. Maeda progressed from the bout.

The incident took place in the women's -70kg quarter-final after the pair were separated from a hold early in the encounter. Maeda rolled up her sleeve to show the referee her left forearm, with what appeared to be a bite mark visible just above the wrist. Officials reviewed video footage before handing Tang the disqualification for unsportsmanlike behaviour in the women's -70kg bout.

Maeda's coach Maki Tsukada said, "It looked like it was really going to bleed," and added, "We didn't talk about disinfecting it or anything like that, but the bite mark was very clear and distinct." The coach's remarks followed Maeda showing the mark to the referee.

Tang, 31, is a three-time Asian Games medallist. She appeared to contest the decision before shaking hands with Maeda. Tang then left the competition area without offering media interviews.

Maeda, 21, said she was unsure what would happen after she spoke to the referee. "It's not something that happens very often, so it was a first for me," she said. "I wasn't really sure what would happen myself, but I did tell the referee. I was in a little pain, but once I got on the mat, the adrenaline kicked in and I didn't really notice it, so it was fine."

Maeda secured a gold medal with a victory over Kazakhstan's Azhar Askhat. She gave the quoted comments to reporters after that win.