Grit and glory: China's para athletes shine in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- After a week of fierce competition, Chinese athletes concluded the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday with strong results and several notable moments.

China sent 312 athletes, averaging 28.8 years old, as part of a 500-member delegation to its fifth Asian Para Games, competing in 335 events across 17 sports.

With 207 gold medals, 117 silver and 111 bronze for a total of 435 medals, China posted its best result at an overseas Asian Para Games and topped the gold and overall medal standings for a fifth consecutive time. Chinese athletes also set 11 world records and 18 Asian records.

On Monday, the first competition day after the opening ceremony, 39-year-old Cui Zhe claimed China's first gold medal of the Games in the women's 41kg para powerlifting. She has competed at all five editions of the Asian Para Games and won gold at each.

After that, China's national anthem echoed frequently at venues across Nagoya. At several medal ceremonies, three Chinese flags were raised side by side as Chinese athletes swept the podium.

"We always give it our all in the pool. We really want to see three Chinese national flags raised together," said Zheng Tingting after winning the women's 400m freestyle S8, with training partners Zhu Hui and Lu Weiyuan taking silver and bronze in the same race. "In training, we push each other and share what we've learned from competing."

Swimmers led China's haul with 64 golds from 79 events. Track and field athletes contributed another 54, with four Chinese athletes setting world records.

China also excelled in para badminton, table tennis, fencing and cycling, while the wheelchair tennis team won gold in both women's singles and doubles, marking its best-ever result at the Asian Para Games.

Yet as Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed noted at Saturday night's closing ceremony, "These numbers reflect remarkable achievements. But the true success of these Games is found in the athletes who made them possible."

Their courage to compete and determination to give their best are inspiring in their own right, he said.

Para cyclist Liu Qiangli braved a sudden downpour to familiarize himself with the course before clocking the fastest time in the men's H1-5 individual time trial.

Sprinter Deng Peicheng competed through injury to break a long-standing world record in the men's 100m T36 final.

Like Cui, 40-year-old discus and shot put athlete Mi Na also won gold at her fifth consecutive Asian Para Games.

For many athletes, sport has brought far more than medals. It has changed their lives. Speaking after their events, several described how it had rekindled their passion for life, restored their confidence and given them a sense of purpose.

Para taekwondo gold medalist Li Yujie, one of China's flagbearers at the Games' opening ceremony, reflected on taking up the sport and pushing through tough training.

"It's these moments that have made me stronger, more confident and better able to take life's challenges in stride," she said. "That's something I truly treasure."

Dong Shunjiang, 34, lost part of his right leg in the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, buried under rubble while trying to save younger schoolmates. He never gave up on life despite the hardships. In Nagoya, at his third Asian Para Games, he won bronze in the men's wheelchair tennis singles, his best result at the Games.

"Through playing tennis, I have gradually regained my confidence in life and returned to the positive mindset I used to have," Dong said. "I no longer feel inferior because of my disability. I hope to take part in more competitions, improve my skills, and achieve better results."

The Asian Para Games has come to a close, but China's para athletes are continuing their journey. Many are already setting their sights on the next goal: the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.