The Asian Games is reputedly the world’s second largest multisport event outside of the Summer Olympics. The event includes three out of four world’s most populous nations, China, India and Indonesia plus 42 other nations in Asia and the Middle East including parts of southern Europe.

For the first time, the Asian Games were co-hosted in two cities; the Indonesian capital of Jakarta (which is hosting the Games for the first time since 1962), and Palembang, the capital of the South Sumatra province.

AP had eight photographers from New Delhi, Seoul, Manila, Kuala Lumpar, Bali and three Jakarta based staff and a photo editor from New Zealand to cover the 465 events in 40 disciplines over the 16 day event Sports included were some traditional Olympic sports such as swimming and athletics and some Asia only sports such as Kabbadi, Sepak Takraw and Wishu.

During the Games 6 world, 18 Asian and 86 Asian Games records were broken.[3]

This gallery was produced by photo editor Mark D. Baker in Asia.