Tokyo, Oct. 14 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s first home Asian Para Games are expected to offer a big chance for para athletes to boost their public profile and spread parasports. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games will kick off on Sunday, with about 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions set to compete in 18 sports during seven days. The international sporting event, hosted mainly in the central Japan prefecture of Aichi, comes soon after the closing of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Oct. 4. Hiroyuki Misaka, who heads the Japanese delegation at the upcoming quadrennial event, said that the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021 served as a catalyst for the spread of parasports, as it helped more people deepen their understanding and interest in such sports. The Asian Para Games are “expected to help create a society where people with disabilities and social minorities feel that it is okay to take a chance,” Misaka said. The event also comes on the back of the Tokyo Deaflympics held in autumn last year, which enhanced public recognition for parasports, especially in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The first-ever Deaflympics hosted by Japan attracted about 280,000 spectators, significantly exceeding initial expectations. Misaka voiced hopes that parasports will spread further after the 2026 event, saying, “There’s no doubt that the Asian Para Games will reach people who weren’t really interested in parasports.” Many athletes set to compete in the Asian event have waited in anticipation to shine at competitions in front of a home crowd, which was something they had missed in a spectatorless Tokyo Paralympics, held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Para archer Tomohiro Ueyama, who aims to clinch a medal for the third Asian Para Games in a row, said that his sport “enables the crowd (and athlete) to feel the same way.” “I’d be delighted if the event helps spread the attractions of parasports to as many people as possible,” said sprinter Moe Nakagawa, who is set to serve as Japan’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony. For Tokito Oda, an Aichi native who has won all four Grand Slam tournaments and the 2024 Paris Paralympics for the men’s wheelchair tennis singles, the Para Games will be a homecoming. “I’ll be able to play in front of people who are close to me and those who have helped me along the way,” he said. Like Oda, compatriot Yui Kamiji has also won a career Golden Slam, clinching the women’s wheelchair singles titles for all Grand Slam events and the 2024 Paralympics. Setting her sights on the Asian Para Games, she said, “I want to put on a performance that will help people realize how interesting wheelchair tennis is.” Daiki Kajiwara, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in the men’s badminton singles, said, “It’s not often that people could watch para badminton up close,” adding, “I hope to put on a high-quality performance to showcase the attractions (of my sport).” Other notable athletes in the Japan squad include swimmer Keiichi Kimura, who won two gold medals at the 2024 Paralympics, and table tennis player Kimie Bessho, who, at the age of 78, will be the oldest member of the Japanese team. In the previous Asian Para Games, held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Japan won 150 medals. A major focus for Japan of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games will be whether the host nation can rewrite its record medal haul of 198, marked in the 2018 event in Jakarta, Indonesia. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
