Nagoya (GNP): Japanese global boy group INI performed the official support song “BEYOND THE SKY” during the Warm-Up Stage of the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, adding a musical celebration to the start of the major regional sporting event.
INI appeared at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya on September 19, ahead of the formal opening ceremony.
The group performed “BEYOND THE SKY,” a song created specifically to support the Asian Games and encourage athletes competing at the event.
The performance formed part of the entertainment programme leading into the opening ceremony, which officially launched the 20th edition of the Asian Games.
The 2026 Games are being hosted in the Aichi-Nagoya region of Japan, with athletes from 45 countries and regions participating across a wide range of sporting disciplines.
INI is serving as an Asian Games ambassador, linking the group’s music and entertainment activities with the sporting event.
“BEYOND THE SKY” was released as part of INI’s ninth single, “ANTHEM,” which was also released on September 19.
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The song was presented as an anthem of encouragement for athletes and others taking part in the competition. INI member Hiromu Takatsuka said the song was intended to help ignite the fighting spirit of those competing and facing challenges at the Games.
The performance also incorporated choreography designed to visually represent determination and ambition.
Choreographer NOPPO of st kingz** worked on the choreography, including movements inspired by flames and a gesture pointing directly toward the sky.
The performance video for “BEYOND THE SKY” was subsequently released through INI’s official YouTube channel. The video features the group performing the song with a band arrangement, giving the track a live-performance format beyond its Asian Games appearance.
The appearance came as Nagoya welcomed the Asian Games for the first time. The opening ceremony itself featured music, dance, visual performances and cultural elements before athletes from participating countries and regions entered the stadium.
The official ceremony was held on September 19 and formally marked the beginning of the Games.
Beyond the sporting competition, the Asian Games also provide a platform for cultural exchange across Asia.
The participation of artists such as INI adds an entertainment dimension to the event, connecting music, popular culture and sport while welcoming athletes and audiences to the competition.
The 2026 Asian Games feature 43 sports and 369 gold-medal events, with several disciplines and formats contributing to the programme. Newer sporting additions include esports, teqball and virtual taekwondo, alongside established Olympic and Asian sporting events.
For INI, the Warm-Up Stage performance provided an opportunity to present its music to an international sporting audience while supporting an event built around competition and regional participation.
With the release of the “BEYOND THE SKY” performance video, the group’s contribution to the opening celebrations is also being extended beyond the stadium.
The song now serves as a musical part of the 20th Asian Games’ opening celebrations and its wider entertainment programme.
