4,000 Athletes Compete at 5th Asian Para Games in Japan

Approximately 4,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories competed in the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where more than 20 world records fell during seven days of competition across Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures, according to regional reports. The continental event concluded on October 24, 2026, closing out a multi-sport schedule that featured 18 distinct sports and drew substantially larger spectator numbers than the spectator-free Tokyo 2021 Paralympics.

Closing Ceremony at Mizuho Park

Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed officially declared the Games closed during a ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium. The event drew high-profile attendance from Japanese royalty, including Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko.

“These Games show the growing strength of disability sport in Asia, our collective commitment to sustainable development, and the immense potential for a more inclusive and sustainable future,” Rashed said during his closing address.

China Tops Medal Table as Japan Achieves Record Success

China finished atop the medal table, collecting 435 total medals, including 207 gold. Host nation Japan secured second place with 186 medals—64 of them gold—marking the country’s most successful Asian Para Games performance in history. Uzbekistan followed in the standings with 145 total medals, featuring 45 gold.

Vietnam sent a 21-athlete delegation to compete across five disciplines: swimming, athletics, powerlifting, table tennis, and badminton.

Crowds and Youth Engagement Drive Social Change in Nagoya

Unlike the restricted venues of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics governed by pandemic protocols, the Aichi-Nagoya Games welcomed crowds. Attendance figures fluctuated significantly depending on the specific sport, but athletes noted strong backing from fans, which included groups of young children attending via organized school programs.

Nagoya Mayor and 2026 organizing committee acting head Ichiro Hirosawa pointed to youth engagement as a primary vehicle for long-term social change.

“I hope the Asian Para Games will be a catalyst for change, encouraging people to see disability as something relevant to themselves, and to think about the contributions every individual can make,” Hirosawa stated.

Next Continental Competition in Doha

The Asian Para Games operate on a four-year cycle, bringing together athletes from across the continent to showcase elite adaptive sport. Following the conclusion of the Aichi-Nagoya edition, the organizing mandate shifts to the Middle East, with Doha, Qatar, designated as the host city for the next staging of the Games in 2030.