Eleven-year-old Japanese elementary school student Yuki Kurihara made history on Saturday by winning the gold medal in esports at the Asian Games.

Kurihara defeated South Korea’s Kang Dongshin 10-2 in the final of the Puyo Puyo Champions puzzle game to claim the title.

He had earlier beaten Thailand’s 28-year-old Tanarak Wongkitikun 10-1 in the semifinals.

“I’m really happy,” Kurihara said after winning the gold medal. “The gold medal is really beautiful, shiny and heavy.”

He also said he liked the mascot plush toy he received as part of the prize.

“The plush toy is super cute, and it’s cool that it is gold-colored too,” he said.

Kang praised the young Japanese player after the final.

“It’s obvious that my opponent was skilled and above my level,” Kang said. “His technical ability and accuracy are incredible.”

Kurihara is believed to be the youngest-ever gold medalist in Asian Games history, which dates back to the first edition in New Delhi, India, in 1951. He is also the youngest athlete competing at the current Games.

Japanese media reports said Kurihara trains for about eight hours a day while continuing his school studies. He became interested in esports when he was in kindergarten and reportedly considers eel his favorite training food.

Esports made its Asian Games debut three years ago in Hangzhou, China. The event proved highly popular, with tickets distributed through a lottery system. Esports has also attracted a large following in Japan.

Several other young athletes are making headlines at the Games. Hong Kong’s Kamus Wong is competing in skateboarding at age 12, while 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has won three gold medals.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Japanese swimmer Shin Ohashi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke on Thursday.