Japan surging ahead at Asian Youth Para Games

It was evident that the Japanese are taking the Games seriously, as they prepare to groom their pool of young athletes who are set to carry their hopes in two major Games – the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

With a day to go before the Asian Youth Para-Games comes to a conclusion, Japan surged ahead and remained on top of the overall medal tally after four days of the event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

As of Tuesday (29 October), the Japanese contingent had amassed 32 gold medals, with their swimmers contributing 11 of them.

Iran, another Asian para-sport powerhouse, are now in second with 23 gold medals followed by China with 21 golds.

It was evident that the Japanese are taking the Games seriously, as they prepare to groom their pool of young athletes who are set to carry their hopes in two major Games – the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

After four days of competition in athletics, Japan came out on top with a haul of 18 gold medals, followed by China who grabbed 12 golds.

While competition for eight sports has been completed, another six sports – goalball, swimming, tenpin bowling, table tennis, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball – still have another day of action in store.

Host nation Malaysia, who had the biggest number of athletes competing in the Games, are trailing behind Japan, Iran and China, filling up the overall fourth spot with 18 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals.