Asian Para Games: Athletes compete with big hopes and impactful missions in mind

At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, athletes have been displaying incredible feats and creating history in the biggest multi-Para sport event in the region this year.

Since 22 October, more than 3,000 athletes from 44 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) are competing across 22 sports at the fourth edition of the Asian Para Games, one of the largest events for Para athletes from the region.

And with just 10 months to go until Paris 2024, the battle for Paralympic qualification has never been so intense. Some athletes see the event at the eastern Chinese city as a major test ahead of Paris to see where they stand a year before the global event. Others consider the Asian Para Games a chance to share the attractions of their sport or to develop the level of competition in their countries and regions.

Test for Paris

According to India’s Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat, the Games were not only an opportunity to collect ranking points for Paris 2024 qualifications, but it was also a much-needed chance for his young doubles partner to experience playing on a huge stage.

Bhagat won the men’s singles SL3 in Para badminton's Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Now he is also hoping to play in the French capital next year with 18-year-old Manisha Ramadass in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event.

“Because we are third in the Paris 2024 rankings, the Games are really important for us because if we get more points and win a medal, it will be better for our qualifications,” Bhagat said. “My partner is young, so I hope she can get more exposure (to large tournaments) so she can perform better in Paris.”

Since he was introduced to the sport 20 years ago, Bhagat has seen Para badminton grow in Asia, especially after the sport was introduced at the Paralympics. At Tokyo 2020, players from Asia swept 13 of the 14 gold medals up for grabs.

“The level is so high. The last two years, I saw that we’ve grown so much. It’s definitely not easy for the next (Paralympics in) 2024 but we will perform well and we are doing the hard work,” Bhagat said.

The pair lost in the semifinals to Indonesia’s Hikmat Ramdani and Leani Ratri Oktila on 25 October. Still, Bhagat’s doubles partner Ramadass said that the Asian Para Games are a great opportunity to play against the world’s best.

“In Para badminton, Asian countries have so many competitions, compared to other places. (The Asian Para Games) are a mini Paralympics for us,” she said. “I am so proud to play my first Asian Para Games, and I am really learning so much here.”

Battle for Paris 2024 spots

Even before Japanese Para table tennis player Kanami Furukawa opened her campaign at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, she knew that any player has what it takes to win the tournament. 

The level of competition in Asia has been growing, and with the Paris 2024 Paralympic ticket on the line, every single athlete was prepared to top the podium.

“Everyone has been preparing for a Paris 2024 ticket. Asia has many powerhouses in the sport and there are so many great athletes. It’s not surprising for anyone to win,” Furukawa said after her first match in the women’s singles class 11 in Hangzhou.

Twelve table-tennis tables were set up at GSP Gymnasium where top players from Asia excited the crowd with their forehand smashes and killer serves. At Hangzhou 2022, winners in each of the singles competition (excluding WS1) booked tickets to next year’s Paralympics. 

“I’ve never played in front of so many people, so I’m amazed. I’m happy that people are interested in Para sports,” Furukawa said. She lost to Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Wong Ting Ting of Hong Kong, China, in the semifinals on 25 October.

Home star Mao Jingdian won the women’s singles class 9 tournament, beating  Kim Kun-hea of the Republic of Korea en route to earning a ticket to the Paralympics.

“I think it’s amazing for me because I thought before, ‘If I get to the final, it’s OK. Maybe a silver is good for me’’. So today is amazing,” Mao said. “In Paris, if I can show myself, it’s enough.”

New sport, more recognition

At Hangzhou 2022, Para taekwondo and Para canoe were staged at the Asian Para Games for the first time, allowing athletes to showcase their sport to more people in Asia and raise recognition of the sports.

At the Paralympic Games, Para taekwondo was included in the sports programme for the first time at Tokyo 2020. Para canoe was added at Rio 2016.

The day after a dazzling Opening Ceremony, Chinese Para taekwondo athlete Shao Qian put on an incredible fight against Mongolia’s Surenjav Ulambayar in the women’s K44 -52kg category.

“Taekwondo is not a well-known sport so we need to try to raise awareness about the sport. Asian Para Games are a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness and let everyone know that people with disability can also take part in other things,” she said.

“I feel very excited. I’m very happy to be able to join Para taekwondo for its premier show at the Asian Para Games,” she added. “I believe this is a great opportunity for people to see our strength, for people to see the fights that we have.”

Hangzhou 2022 will close on 28 October. Aichi-Nagoya 2026, in Japan, will be the next iteration of the Asian Para Games.

The first edition was also held in China, in 2010.