Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games to open with record 45 countries, regions

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games are set to open on Sunday, with a record 45 countries and regions participating, featuring around 4,000 athletes and officials. The host nation will field approximately 280 athletes across 18 sports, primarily in Nagoya and other cities within Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, during the weeklong games.

The torch relay for the opening ceremony began on October 10 in Aichi's Okazaki and has since passed through several other cities in the prefecture. Organizers aim for the Asian Para Games to raise awareness of people with disabilities in Japan, following the success of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. Some events, such as wheelchair tennis, will serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Notable athletes like wheelchair tennis world No. 1 stars Tokito Oda and Yui Kamiji are expected to draw significant attention. Wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball return to the program, with Japan aiming to defend its wheelchair basketball title. The fifth edition of the Asian Para Games since its inception in 2010 in Guangzhou, China, follows the success of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where Japan achieved its best-ever result with 269 medals, including 83 golds.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.