NAGOYA, Japan, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 5th Asian Para Games opened in Aichi-Nagoya on Sunday.
Running from October 18 to 24 under the theme "Imagine One Heart," the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games bring together nearly 3,000 para athletes from 45 countries and regions across Asia, who will compete in about 500 events across 18 sports.
The opening ceremony took place at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, where delegations paraded into the venue through a handcrafted tree installation symbolizing connection.
Led by flagbearers para taekwondo athlete Li Yujie and para powerlifter Yan Panpan, the Chinese delegation entered the venue to warm applause.
China has sent 312 athletes, with an average age of around 28.8, as part of a 500-member delegation for its fifth Asian Para Games, marking the country's largest-ever athlete contingent at an overseas edition of the Games.
The Chinese athletes, all amateurs from diverse backgrounds including workers, students, office employees and freelancers, will compete in 335 events across 17 sports.
Hideaki Ohmura, president of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organizing Committee, expressed his gratitude to everyone who had helped make the event a reality.
"I believe the significance of para sports lies not merely in winning competitions, but in fostering awareness and understanding of diversity, and in contributing to the realization of an inclusive society where everyone recognizes and supports one another as we live together," he said.
In his speech, Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed commended the athletes for the efforts and sacrifices they had made to reach this stage, and hailed their passion, determination and courage.
"Once again, sport can show us another way forward, because sport sees possibility where others may see limits," he said. "Sport brings people together when the world can sometimes pull them apart. Here, our differences do not divide us. They make us stronger."
Seven para-sport participants from various summer and winter sports took part in the final leg of the torch relay inside the stadium. The main flame of the Asian Para Games was then jointly lit by three torchbearers. ■
