An Chang-ok Wore Qiaodan Logo at Asian Games
The North Korean gymnast competed with a logo that resembled the Nike Jordan series during the recent vault final.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Gymnastics
North Korean gymnast An Chang-ok displayed a Qiaodan logo on her chest during the women's vault final at the Asian Games. The logo, which was captured via telephoto lens next to the North Korean flag, closely resembles the imagery associated with the Nike Jordan series.
Why it matters
The appearance of the logo highlights the ongoing brand recognition of Qiaodan, a company that has been locked in a high-profile legal dispute with Michael Jordan over trademark rights. This incident brings renewed attention to the contested branding that remains prevalent in the Chinese market.
The Qiaodan brand maintains a massive footprint with over 6,000 stores currently operating across China. This presence stands in contrast to the years of litigation the company has faced regarding its trademark usage of the Jordan name and imagery.
The players
An Chang-ok
She is a North Korean gymnast who competed in the women's vault final.
Yeo Seo-jung
She is the South Korean gymnast who won the gold medal in the women's vault final.
Michael Jordan
He is a retired professional basketball player who has engaged in extensive legal battles with Qiaodan over trademark rights.
Qiaodan
It is a Chinese sportswear brand that operates thousands of retail locations and has been involved in significant international trademark disputes.
The details
During the vault final held in Aichi-Nagoya, South Korean athlete Yeo Seo-jung secured the gold medal. The Qiaodan logo was clearly visible on An Chang-ok's uniform, drawing comparisons to the Jumpman emblem used by Nike.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: An Chang-ok wore the Qiaodan logo during the Asian Games vault final.
Season Trajectory
This incident follows a pattern set by the Michael Jordan vs. Qiaodan trademark litigation by highlighting the persistence of the disputed logo in a global athletic setting. The appearance of the logo on the international stage complicates the broader efforts to resolve trademark disputes within the competitive sports apparel market.
The visibility of the logo during a major broadcast final demonstrates the ongoing difficulty of enforcing trademark boundaries in international sports uniforms. Viewers and sports marketing observers can track how these logo controversies impact future regulatory requirements for athlete attire in multi-national competitions.
The takeaway
The incident serves as a reminder of how corporate legal battles over intellectual property can surface in unexpected places like professional gymnastics. Fans and observers should note that branding on international uniforms often remains a flashpoint for long-running trademark litigation.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in competitive athletics, visit the Gymnastics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
